Power to industry still cheaper in Himachal Pradesh: Sukhu
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that Himachal Pradesh is committed to formulating industry-friendly policies to promote investment and even now power being supplied to industry in the state remains cheaper as compared to the neighbouring states.
In a statement issued here today, he said the state government has rationalised the electricity subsidies being provided to industries. Large industries with supply voltage ranging from 33 KV to 220 KV will be offered electricity at rates which are cheaper than the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand by more than one rupee per unit.
“This implies that industries in Himachal Pradesh still enjoy a comparative advantage over the neighbouring states. There are only 159 industries in the state with supply voltage ranging from 33 KV to 220 KV,” the Chief Minister stated.
Sukhu said that in addition to the large industries with supply voltage ranging from 33 KV to 220 KV, there is another set of 2011 industries in the state with supply voltage of 11 KV and 22 KV. For these industries also the price advantage of more than rupees one continues in comparison to the neighbouring states.
Sukhu added that for helping these industries, the government has, in fact, reduced the electricity duty form 16.5 to 10 per cent. He said the state government is committed to the promotion of 31,298 small and medium industries in particular. Subsidy for these industries remains unchanged and the energy charges remain untouched.
The Chief Minister said the rationalisation of electricity subsidies will not harm the interests of industries. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to foster industrial growth. “These industries provide employment directly and indirectly to thousands of youth of the state and we are determined to support their continued growth and the State is grateful for their contributions," he stated.
