The lackadaisical approach of the state governments of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh towards developing link roads to the Baddi industrial belt has started to make its mark. Where on one side the industry is ready to participate in infrastructure development of the region, the governments seem to be waiting for a green signal.
Talking to FE on sidelines of an event in Baddi, VS Kokje, governor of Himachal Pradesh said, “Coordination between Punjab and Haryana is long awaited by us to carry the work forward. The two states need to talk amongst themselves and find a solution to this problem and then only the infrastructure can be developed together. Now that the new government has taken charge in Himachal, things might move ahead on this front.”
He further added, “The border areas should also be developed in a regulated manner so that the industry can flourish well in all the neighboring states.”
Where Punjab has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the tax concessions given by the Central government to the state of Himachal Pradesh, the Himachal governor supports the industrial package. There has been a major exodus of capital and industries in all sectors from Punjab to Baddi in Himachal, leading to decline in the industrial growth of Punjab. Commenting upon this, Kokje said, “It’s not only the industrial package that attracted the industry to Himachal, but there are several other factors contributing to this.”
The government has to have a strategy for industrial development. The private players are coming forward to build residential townships in Baddi, they should also take initiatives in the field of infrastructure development, education, medical facilities etc.”
Talking about the industry norm of recruiting about 70% people from Himachal Pradesh, Kokje said that this reservation should be rationalised and the companies should be given time to implement this in a phased manner. “The industries have to make profit and if its profitable to employ from Himachal they will definitely do it in the beginning only. But in case of shortfall of the skilled people, the companies will have to hire from outside. The practicality of the norm has to be kept in mind from industrial perspective,” he asserted.