Nine states to sign common mkt pact

faridabad: nine states of the north are inching towards inking an agreement to constitute a “common economic market� with uniform tax structure and industrial and infrastructure policy and incentives for existing and new investors. the chief secretaries of punjab, haryana, delhi, up, hp, j&k, uttranchal, mp and chhattisgarh are meeting on friday (april 19) at surajkund, near faridabad, to give a final shape to the draft plan of the cem. an exercise in this direction has been going on for well over nine months. the draft plan coming up for discussion on friday, contains the gist of five similar meetings that have taken place over the past few months. chief ministers and industry ministers of the concerned states had also participated in some of the initial meetings. haryana chief minister o p chautala and his senior bureaucratic aides are expected to participate at the surajkund meet along with representatives of trade and industry. sources suggest that the new common market could be called a “barrier-free economic entity� with similar policies and facilities for focus segments like tourism and infrastructure, creation of more employment opportunities, upgrading the quality of economic activities, expansion of wholesale and retail trade of branded commodities. besides, the states would have a comprehensive environmental preservation, protection and promotion plan for the region. the draft paper further suggests formulation of a practicable policy for shifting industries out of the congested areas of delhi and other states and development of corridors to provide an impetus to rural economy to facilitate agricultural produce and dairy-based industries in clusters. other important issues to come for finalisation include constitution of a uniform transport authority, watershed management and setting up of more sezs in the region.