The Election Commission (EC) has granted permission to the Himachal Pradesh government to allow investors to go ahead with the recently cleared industrial projects in the state.
The move would bring relief to hundreds of investors whose projects had been put on hold by the EC’s earlier decision following the model code of conduct.
Most of the projects are located in the industrial hub of Baddi-Barotiwala and Nalagarh in Solan district. These were cleared by the state’s single window clearance just before the poll dates were announced.
The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Industries Association, along with the state government, had appealed to the EC explaining how huge investments would be put on hold for the next couple of months, which would impact industrial growth in the region.
Investors can now apply for power availability certificates from the state electricity board, which had stopped issuing these documents due to the earlier decision of the EC. The Centre’s excise holiday for Himachal Pradesh, which came into force in 2003, will expire early next year.