Six cement factories to be set up with an investment of Rs.4781.97 crore

By Bijender Sharma

DARLAGHAT 1 March---Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State would create investment friendly environment and six cement factories would invest Rs. 4781.97 crore in the State. He said that State would produce 20 lacs tonnes cement annually which would be 15 percent of the total production of the country. He was speaking at Rauri in Darlaghat of district Solan today. He also laid foundation stone of 2nd unit of Gujarat Ambuja Cement Ltd. estimated to cost Rs. 864 crore with installed capacity of 1.8 MT per annum. Chief Minister said that State was prepared to extend all possible help to facilitate the prospective entrepreneurs to set up their units in the State by upholding the ecology safeguards and honouring the employment policy of the State. He said that Rs. 864 crore Ambuja Cement Plant would generate employment to 494 persons and added that JP Associates would set up cement factories at Bagga-Bhalog at the cost of Rs.760 crore generating employment to 660 persons. He said that Chamba unit would invest Rs. 800 crore and provide employment to 600 persons while Harish Cements would invest Rs. 700 crore in its Sundernagar Plant and employ 350 persons. He said that India Cement would invest Rs. 750 crore and employ 350 persons at Chopal while another plant would be set up at Karsog with an investment of Rs. 909 crore by providing employment to 288 persons. Prof. Dhumal announced upgradation of PHC Darlaghat to CHC from next April for which Ambuja Cement would provide funds. He also thanked Ambuja for its finances for filling up 37 vacancies in Government Degree College Arki. He assured all help to set up two ITIs and trauma centre near Nauni in Bilaspur where emergency medical services would be provided to passengers. He also thanked Ambujas for opening new diagnostic centre at Nalagarh and constructing the GHS building at Nalagarh. He said that survey would be undertaken to remodel the local water supply scheme to meet the increasing demand of the people of the area. He said that social responsibility service of Ambuja was exemplary and hoped that others would follow the example. He said that an era of development would commence with mutual cooperation under private public participation. Chief Minister said that development generates employment and developmental activities should be carried out for public welfare. He said that he was concerned about degradation of environment and global warming which was posing great challenge. He underlined the need to balance development and environment for the benefit of the people. Prof. Dhumal said that State Government had been voicing its concern to Government of India and neighbouring States to grant its due in all the joint venture projects. He said that State had not been granted any compensation to rehabilitate the families who offered their land for construction of Bhakra and Pong Dam Projects. He said that thousands of families were rendered homeless and their rehabilitation issues were still awaiting dispersal. He added that the legitimate rights of Himachalis had been denied. Chief Minister congratulated Ambuja Cement for its significant contribution towards social welfare activities besides generating employment. He congratulated Shri Suresh Neotia, Chairman of the Company for his valuable suggestions for speedy development of the State. Later, he also inaugurated ITI Under-skill and Entrepreneurs Development Unit in the complex. Dr. Rajiv Bindal, Health Minister said that the Government had accorded top priority to social welfare sector by taking major decisions for the same. He said that total transparency was being maintained in functioning of the Government. He urged to upgrade the local PHC to CHC to provide better health care facilities. He requested the Ambuja Cements to honour the employment policy by employing local youth in their units. Shri Hari Narain Singh Saini, MLA Nalagarh said that development was gaining momentum which had come to a grinding halt during previous regime. He said that new developmental milestones were bound to be set up under the visionary leadership of Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal. He advised the Ambuja Cement Ltd. to extend their social service activities to Nalagarh by constructing new building of Government High School Nalagarh. Shri Govind Sharma, local MLA welcomed the Chief Minister. He congratulated the Chief Minister for taking landmark decisions of increasing daily wages and social security pension after assuming power for second time. He urged for post of DSP for Arki Sub Division and reopening of Police Chowki at Shalaghat. Padam Vibhushan Shri Suresh Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Cement Ltd. thanked the Chief Minister. He said that Company would bear the expenditure of PHC Darla and added that Rs. 5 crore was being spent on Government High School Darlaghat complex. He offered to help the girls of families residing in wild life sanctuary area and to provide training to youth in self employment oriented courses. He assured grant for setting up of diagnostic centre and blood testing laboratory, employment to handicapped and implementation of employment policy.Shri Ram Krishan Sharma, Pradhan, Gram Panchayat Darla detailed out the developmental requirements of the area. Shri V.P. Sharma, President, Ambuja Cement Ltd. proposed vote of thanks. Shri Nagin Chander Paul, former Minister, Shri Ram Kumar, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Solan, Shri Subhash Negi, Principal Secretary, Industries, Shri Anil Khachi, Director, Industries, Shri Aman Deep Garg, Deputy Commissioner, senior officers of State Government and Ambuja Cement Ltd., Pradhans of adjoining Gram Panchayats were present on the occasion. – 000—

Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister was presented a draft of Rs. one crore by Padam Vibhushan Shri Suresh Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Cements Ltd. as contribution towards Chief Minister's Relief Fund at Darlaghat in district Solan today. Chief Minister thanked the Ambuja Cements Ltd. for its generous gesture and added that it was a pious service towards suffering and deserving sections of the society. He said that individuals and organizations were coming forward for donating liberally towards the fund. He said that all donations made towards the fund were exempted under provisions of Income Tax. He appealed the people to donate generously towards the fund so that the same could be utilized to deliver relief to needy and deserving in the hour of distress. He hoped that donation made by Ambuja Cement Ltd. would inspire others also.