Chandigarh, May 9 - Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal while reiterating State Government’s commitment to further accelerate industrial and economic activities, which remained hampered during the Nationwide lockdown period, said that those entrepreneurs who are willing to shift their manufacturing operations from China to India, would be given priority to invest in Haryana.

The Chief Minister was interacting with the people of the State during the 'Haryana Aaj' programme today.

He said that the investors from Japan, US, Korea, Germany, Australia and Taiwan are now exploring possibilities to invest in India instead of China and from the geographical perspective; Haryana is already the first choice of foreign investors. He said that in the last five years, an industry friendly atmosphere has been created in Haryana. In terms of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in 2014, Haryana was ranked 16th in the country but now State’s ranking has improved to third position, and is ranked first in Northern India in ‘Ease of Doing Business’. He said that talks are underway with 60 multi-national companies for investment in Haryana.

The Chief Minister said that with the objective of industrial expansion throughout the State, a district-wise cluster scheme will be formulated for all the 22 districts. To boost the industries sector, road and rail network or any other infrastructure would be developed in future as per requirement. He said that this cluster- wise plan will not only give a big boost to industries but will also create ample employment opportunities.

He said that to make the State youth skilled and employment- worthy, training courses are being run by the Vishwakarma Skill Development University Haryana. Similarly, small courses would be started for the benefit of the youth.

The Chief Minister said that industrial activities have resumed in Haryana after certain relaxation during the lockdown. While divulging information about various types of concessions being given by the State Government to the industrial units, he said those industrial units whose electricity tariffs for the months of March, April and May would be half of the average of January and February, would be entitled to get a 25 percent rebate in the fixed charge. The remaining 75 percent amount will have to be deposited from July to December in 6 equal installments.

He said that in order to enable MSMEs to pay their workers on time, the facility of getting loans from the bank for payment of salaries upto Rs. 20,000 per worker has been made available, for which the Haryana Government will grant interest benefit upto 6 months, which will amount to Rs. 250 crore. He said no collateral or guarantee has to be given for this loan and if in future there is any such provision the State Government will address the issue.

He said that the interest of 2 month’s advance development charge (ADC) being given by the industries will be adjusted in the electricity bills. He said that Agro Industries with power connections of up to 20 KW, which till now were charged a rate of about Rs. 7.50 and Rs. 8, will have to pay Rs 4.75 per unit, from April 1, 2020. He said that this announcement was made during the budget and directions have been given to the department to implement it. He said that there are some disputes regarding allotment of plots by HSIIDC in the industrial area, for this a separate redressal mechanism will be put in place for early settlement of disputes. He said that Haryana had reformed most of the labour laws in 2017 for which other states are initiating action now. However, if further amendments are required in our labour laws, we will do the needful within a week so that neither the workers, nor the industrialists face any difficulty.

He said that those industrial units which have resumed operations will be given permission to make the housing arrangements for their labourers and workers inside their premises, so that they can run their operations while remaining in-situ.

He said that due to Corona Pandemic, the migration of labourers had started in the past but since the government is planning to give a momentum to the MSMEs operations, this number has started to decline. He said that now industrial activities have resumed in the state and presently about 13 lakh employees are engaged in different works and it is expected that now the migrant labourers will not return to their respective states. Even if the migrant workers wish to return, the State Government will make adequate arrangements for their departure. In the coming 7 days, migrant labourers will be sent to their homes by 100 trains. About 6 lakh people who have come from far-flung states of the country have registered themselves on the portal to return to their respective states.