The artificial Pareechu lake in Tibet gave the state sleepless nights for several weeks this monsoon. And while the lake may be lying dormant for the time being, it is likely to pose a threat to the same areas in the state next year when the snow melts.While experts feel the lake will continue to exist as a permanent feature given the magnitude of the blockade, the theory is unlikely to impress thousands of residents on this side of the border who will confront the risk next year. Walking the Kangra tightrope, sans flab If the Guler Assembly by-election saw a face-off between arch-rivals Congress and BJP, post-poll, it is a Congress versus Congress tussle. And as political pundits predicted the pitch, the Congress was clearly on the back foot during the campaigning on the much-exploited issue of ‘‘discrimination’’ against Kangra following downsizing of the ministry. Now, with those crying hoarse over the issue not in a mood to give in, it’s time for the government to make all-out efforts to appease Congress rebels. While the problem is not as worrying as in neighbouring Punjab, ‘‘rebel’’ leaders claim they were assured by the AICC that the imbalance that crept in after the downsizing will be eased out after the Guler bypoll. There seems to be a ray of hope now as regards promises made in Kangra. The post of the HPCC chief could be one bait; a ministerial berth for a Kangra leader could be another. With senior Congress leaders, including axed minister Vijai Singh Mankotia, mounting pressure on the government, it’s testing times for Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who has to set his house in order. State’s 20-month industrial boom If there is one thing the state government has been working hard at, it’s wooing industrial houses. For a hill state where getting corporate houses to invest is an uphill task, the state has been successful to a large extent, courtesy the lucrative packages it has offered to entrepreneurs besides the government’s industrialist-friendly policies. Twenty months ago, there were 196 medium- and large- scale industries in Himachal Pradesh. Today, there are nearly 400 such industries, including blue-chip companies like Wipro, HLL Godrej etc. A large chunk of the industrial units, numbering over 60, are pharmaceutical units largely concentrated in Baddi, Barotiwala Parwanoo and Nalagarh. The government’s policy of a 10-year exemption on excise duty, five-year exemption on income tax, sales tax deferment, central transport subsidy and quality power supply has played a major role in luring corporate houses to invest in the state. Showcase tourism, invite foreign investment The state seems set on making full use of its abundant tourism potential, going by the way it has been generously giving clearances for foreign investment for various tourism projects in the state. To begin with, 12 of these projects will be presented at the International Business Meet proposed to be held in December. Meanwhile, the HP Tourism Department is busy setting its house in order. As many as 17 properties, majority of them loss-making propositions, will be divested in a phased manner. Two state-run hotels, at Kharapathar and Nurpur, have already been privatised.
