Withdrawal of excise concessions irks BJP

Shimla, Jan 22 (UNI) The BJP has criticised the UPA led Congress Government at the Centre for its decision to withdraw the excise concession for the non manufacturing units in Himachal Pradesh.

State party secretary Khushi Ram Balnahata said the special industrial package was granted to the state by the then NDA Government till 2013, but due to indifference of the previous state government the package period was curtailed to 2010.

And now the Union government has withdrawn the excise concession for the industries involved in peripheral activities, which was most unfortunate, he said in a release here.

Mr Balnahata said the latest decision of the Union government would adversely affect the interests of small scale industries and hinder the pace of industrialisation in this hilly state.

UNI XC AS PS MMS1833