Global investors’ meet will usher in prosperity: Minister

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 2

The Rising Himachal Global Investors’ Meet being organised in Dharamsala on November 7 and 8 will usher in an era of development and prosperity in the state. This was stated by Forest and Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur today said.

Chiding a section of Opposition leaders for questioning the government’s move, he said: “Perhaps, they have forgotten that the previous Congress government had spent crores of rupees on roadshows just to attract investment, but failed to get even a single penny.” “A lot of effort has gone into organising the event. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has left no stone unturned to ensure that a conducive environment is provided to investors from foreign countries and other states. More than 150 regulatory reforms and over 40 services will be made available for ease of doing business,” he added.

The minister said the state government also worked hard to promote development-oriented activities by simplifying the rules and regulations like the Single Window Act-2018 and the Himachal Pradesh-Micro Enterprises Facilitation Council Rules-2018.

“So far, investment proposals worth Rs 83,000 crore have been signed with various industrial houses, which will strengthen the economy and create employment opportunities,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, former BJP MP Varinder Kashyap said the Global Investors’ Meet was an important event in the history of Himachal.

“Congress leaders are not opposing the investors’ meet, but creating obstacles in the development of Himachal, harming the interests of the people,” he alleged.

Anurag’s absence from meetings hints at fissures in BJP

• Rift within the BJP seems to have widened in the run-up to the Investors’ Meet-2019, one of the biggest events orchestrated and set to be organised by the state government in Dharamsala on November 7 and 8.
• Despite the fact that the Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Anurag Thakur, represents Himachal in the Union Cabinet, he has not been actively involved in roping in investors to the state. 
• Anurag has not attended even a single meeting convened for the event. 
• Anurag, who was in Dehra on Saturday, when questioned why the state government was not involving him in the event, tried to play down the issue. He said: “I am always there to help the state in getting investment and will be there during the Investors’ Meet on November 7 and 8.”
• Industries Minister Bikram Thakur admitted that the state government could have involved Anurag for attracting investment.
• When asked about the probability of the success of the meet at a time when there was slump, Anurag said: “People see it as recession, I see it as an opportunity.” —Lalit Mohan

‘Meet outcome of strenuous efforts’

A lot of effort has gone into organising the event. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has left no stone unturned to ensure that a conducive environment is provided to investors. So far, investment proposals worth Rs 83,000 crore have been signed with various industrial houses, which will strengthen the economy and generate employment. —Govind Singh Thakur, Forest minister