Rs 188-crore investments in hills of Uttarakhand

A total of 1,665 micro and small industrial units with an investment of Rs 188.38 crore have set up shops in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand since April 1, 2008 when the integrated hill industrial policy was notified by the state government.

These industries have so far provided employment to nearly 6,061 people, said an official report. Most of these units have come up in various mini-industrial areas where the industrialisation process had remained a distant dream.

The new units which are coming up in the hills are in different sectors like food processing, ayurvedic medicines, mineral water, steel fabrication, furniture, herbal products. The government is offering a series of incentives like special VAT rebate up to 90 per cent in the hill policy. Interest subsidy is also available to eligible enterprises on loans extended by banks and financial institutions.

Scores of companies and individuals have been allotted plots in mini-industrial estates which are now being developed by the government. According to an official estimate, about 28 entrepreneurs have been allotted plots in Bhatwanisain in Rudraprayag district. Bhatwanisain is among all those mini-industrial estates where investments have finally started pouring in after a long gap. All these estates were created more than 30 years ago when the hill state was part of the undivided Uttar Pradesh. A host of such estates like Dunda and Gawana in Uttarkashi, Lachhmoli in Tehri, Chilianaula, Bhikiasain and Dwarahaat in Almora are for the first time witnessing industrial activities.