Industrial development will come to halt in Himachal Pradesh: State BJP vice president Virendra Kanwar

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh)[India], September 10 : Strongly criticising the Himachal Pradesh government for increasing electricity duty on industries, BJP vice president Virendra Kanwar said the "ill-advised move" threatens to stifle industrial growth in the region.
Kanwar's remarks come amidst concerns that the rising costs of electricity and water are driving industries to relocate outside the state, which, in turn, is contributing to economic challenges.
  
He asserted that the state, which is already grappling with various challenges, including natural disasters, requires a thriving industrial sector to bolster its economic strength.
However, the recent decision to raise electricity duty has sent shockwaves through the entrepreneurial community, raising doubts about the government's commitment to supporting industrial development, the BJP leader said.
 
Accusing the government of making empty promises, Kanwar also pointed to the Congress' pledge to create five lakh government jobs.
“Congress had guaranteed five lakh jobs in the government sector to grab power, whereas by imposing additional taxes on industries, the industries will migrate and the youth who want to work in these industries will migrate. Those who are employed will also become unemployed”, he said.
 
This migration, he warned, would exacerbate unemployment and disrupt the state's economic stability.
Kanwar emphasised that during the BJP's tenure, the government consistently provided better facilities and support to facilitate the expansion of industries.
“During the tenure of BJP, better facilities were always provided to expand the industries, due to which our youth also got employment”, Kanwar said.