Uttarakhand cabinet gives nod to MSME policy

The Uttarakhand cabinet on Wednesday gave nod to Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) policy in a bid to give to push to industrialisation in the hilly areas of the state.

The move comes after the cabinet gave approval for bringing wellness and Ayurveda centres under ‘mega industry investment policy’ to benefit investors.

“The idea is to give a big push to industries in the state. Several incentives will be given to the investors under the policy,” government spokesperson and cabinet minister Madan Kaushik told reporters after the meeting.

Industry bodies like PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industries were lobbying with the government to come up with the MSME policy.

The policy gives the status of the industry to several activities like rafting, camping, surfing, panchakarma, joyriding etc. This means that the owners and investors will be entitled to benefits under the MSME policy.

“The idea is to generate jobs by clubbing and bringing several activities under the policy. This will help locals and investors in a big way,” said Kaushik.

In a big relief to the home guards, who serve as support staff besides police personnel, the cabinet approved ₹50 hike in there per day allowance. At present, a home guard gets ₹400 per day. The move will help thousands of home guards in the state.

Expressing concern over the shortfall of NCERT books in the CBSE and government schools across Uttarakhand, the cabinet decided to have a word with Uttar Pradesh and arrange printing facility so that by next month everything comes back on track.

The cabinet also approved minimum support price (MSP) for wheat at ₹1,735 per quintal which is higher than the last year.

Other cabinet decisions

The tourism department to mediate to return over ₹4 crore to the company which was given the contract to construct a five-star hotel in government complex in Doon. The company demanding money back after the government did not move ahead with the project.

Rules modified permitting trucks taking quarrying material out of the state.

Uttar Pradesh tourism to get 0.401 hectares land in the Badrinath shrine town.