Centre extends excise package to HP

Shimla, Aug 3 (UNI) Ignoring the claims of neighbouring states that industries are shifting their bases to Himachal Pradesh, Centre has extended the industrial package to the state till 2010.

The package, which was earlier extended up to 2013, was brought down to March 31, 2007 after Punjab and Haryana opposed it, saying that the industries from their states were shifting their bases to the neighbouring state due to the central package.

The Centre announced the extension of industrial package to the state by issuing a notification yesterday.

Union Minister of State for Commerce, during his tour of the state in April earlier this year, had also indicated that the package was likely to be extended since many of the industrial units had set up their bases in the state with the impression that the package could be availed up to 2013.

The package, which had helped the state in attracting investments of over Rs 17,000 crore during the last three years, was first provided to the state by the previous National Democratic Alliance Government to help the state attract industry.

However, following pressure from the neighbouring states, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government reduced it to 2007, providing an opportunity to the opposition, which accused the state government of failing to safeguard the interest of the state despite Congress governments being in power both in the state and at the Centre.

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