Non-polluting IT, pharma SEZ ideal for Himachal Pradesh: Ashwani Kumar

SHIMLA: Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar today underlined the need for developing environment-friendly special economic zones (SEZs) in Himachal Pradesh by updating and upgrading the infrastructure.

"We can certainly pick up Himachal for SEZs in the North for pharma industry or the I-T units which are non-polluting," he said.

He added there was lot of scope of tourism development in the state, which could be done in a collaborative manner and also supported the demand for expansion of Railway network introducing heli taxis for better connectivity.

"I recognise the fact that Himachal has done exceptionally well in preserving the green cover for the benefit of plains and paid a price and it should be compensated for it.

The Centre had always tried to help states to speed up development in spite of financial constraints, he saiid.

Kumar, who was here to discuss the implementation of Rs 3,700 crore annual plan of Himachal with Chief Minister P K Dhumal and state government officers, said that Himachal was doing well and its performance was remarkable in health and education sectors.

"The hill state has considerably reduced the infant mortality rate (IMR) and improved the sex ratio and these parameters indicate that the state was progressing."

He complimented the Chief Minister for setting up the regulatory commission for higher educational institutions in the state and said it was in consonance with 12th Plan goals for achieving quality in education.

Referring to insufficient irrigation facilities in Himachal, he said only 23 per cent agriculture land was under irrigation and concerted efforts should be made to bring more areas under irrigation but regretted that out of 110 detailed Project reports, the state has submitted only 30 DPRs so far.

He said that there was need to optimise revenue from hydro power in Himachal and asked for detailed note on constraints in clearances of hydro projects by the centre.