396 firms start prodn in Uttarakhand in 2007-08

The Uttarakhand government today said a total of 396 industries have started production in the hill state during the last two years (2007-08) that were set up with a total investment of Rs 7,719.49 crore.

All these industries were set up in the industrial estates, developed by the state-run State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (Sidcul), Chief Minister BC Khanduri said in a written reply to the state Assembly.

This apart, nearly nine industries started production in private industrial estates with an investment of Rs 1,382 crore, said Khanduri, who also holds the portfolio of industries.

Khanduri also dispelled doubts of any slowdown in the investment scenario in the state since January 2007.

Out of the 396 industries, 156 began production in the Haridwar industrial estate, 19 in Pharma City at Selaquie, 33 in the Sitarganj industrial state and 188 in Pantnagar, Khanduri said.

When asked whether the government was taking steps to bring more investments in the state, Khanduri said efforts were being made to extend the special industrial package for a period of another three years. In this regard, the state government was in talks with the Centre so that the package, which comes to end on March 31, 2010, can be extended till March 31, 2013, he added.

Besides this, Khanduri said the state government has also brought a special hill industrial development scheme for 2008, which already came into force on April 1 this year.

Though the government claims to have received a lot of new proposals, not a single industry has been set up in the hill state under the new package so far.