INDIAN STATE: UTTARAKHAND

Major Industries

Floriculture and Horticulture

Uttarakhand has almost all the different agro-geo climatic zones making it particularly conducive to commercial horticulture and floriculture. Floriculture is being developed in a big way in order to meet the demand of both - the domestic as well as the foreign markets. The climate is ideal for growing flowers all round the year. Hence, it is proposed to establish floriculture parks with common infrastructure facilities for sorting, pre-cooling, cold chain, processing, grading, packing and marketing facilities. Horticulture is also being promoted in a big way through adequate incentives and facilities to the industry.

Agro and Food Processing Industries

The state government provides assistance in establishing small and medium size agro parks, food parks etc., which in turn are expected to provide common infrastructure facilities for storage, processing, grading and marketing.

Four Agri Export Zones (AEZs) have already been declared under the AEZ scheme of Government of India for leechi, horticulture, herbs, medicinal plants and basmati rice.

Uttarakhand has been included in difficult area category by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MFPI) and hence units being set up in Uttarakhand will be eligible for higher incentives under the scheme of MFPI.

The state government is also providing matching subsidy for projects under various schemes of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MFPI) and the Natural Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) subject to a maximum limit of Rs. 20 lakhs.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology (BT) is poised to make significant contributions in agriculture, human and animal health care, environment management and process industries. Rare species of plants and animals found in the state, add to its natural advantage in this sector. In this context, a MOU has already been signed between Rabo India Finance Company, Infrastructure Development Finance Company and the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in order to forge strategic cooperation to jointly pursue initiatives in the sphere of research in food and agriculture sectors. A high level Biotechnology Board is also being setup under the Chairmanship of the Hon'ble Chief Minister.

The proposed strategy of the state with respect to the biotechnology sector is:

• Units coming up in this sector, including the R&D units in this field, shall be accorded industry status and the provisions made for the IT sector shall be made applicable to this sector as well.
  
• Establish an internationally competitive business infrastructure and environment for the biotechnology industry in the state.
  
• Develop Uttarakhand as a centre of excellence in biotechnology by providing necessary education and training facilities for the creation of a large pool of multi-skilled, technically competent manpower and organizations for state of the art biotechnology research in the state.
  
• A biotechnology park will be developed near Pantnagar to achieve the vision of the government. The proposed Biotechnology Park will integrate resources and provide amongst others, a focused institutional set up for accelerated commercial growth of Biotechnology and Bio-Informatics.

Information and Communication Technology

The state is naturally endowed and has all prerequisites for developing as a preferred destination for IT & ITES along with hardware production. IT & ITeS have been accorded the status of Industry. Several initiatives have been taken to promote IT and ITeS industry in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand offers high-speed connectivity with the establishment of an STPI earth station at Dehradun and proposed earth stations at other locations. Facilities by BSNL and Reliance are also available in the state. A dedicated IT park is already coming up in Dehradun and others are in the pipeline. Also, stamp duty concessions are proposed for units located in IT parks.

Hydro power

The state has untapped potential for generating hydropower, which is both cheap and clean. Nearly 15000 MW of hydropower can be generated in the state. The government has identified 47 small hydro sites (upto 25 MW) for allotment to the private sector. Also, 17 major hydro sites (25-100 MW) have been taken up for development.

Forest Products- Herbs and Spices

Since a significant part of the state is under the forest cover (almost 70 percent), there exists excellent potential for the development of forest resources based industries. In addition, there is ample scope to develop industries based on forest and agro wastes such as lantana, pine needles and plant & vegetative fibers.

Uttarakhand is also a storehouse for a rich variety of herbs, medicinal and aromatic plant species. With a view to utilize these resources, a medicinal and aromatic plants export zone has been set up covering seven districts of Uttarakhand and specialized herbal parks are in the offing.

Tourism

Tourism industry has been accorded the status of a thrust sector in the state and the state government has set up statutory Uttarakhand Tourism Board as an apex body for development of tourism in the state. Several areas of Uttarakhand are already established as centres of pilgrimage tourism. Huge investment potential exists in the tourism sector including:

• Development of facilities for providing spiritual lessons, reiki, and other rejuvenating courses.
  
• Eco- tourism hotels, spa, resorts, amusement parks and ropeways.
  
• Winter sports at places such as Auly, which have the requisite terrain for the purpose.
  
• Adventure tourism

A detailed and separate tourism policy has also been formulated under which a multitude of incentives have been provided to boost the industry:

• New tourism units will be allowed rebate/deferment facility in respect of luxury tax for a period of five years from the date of commencement.
  
• New ropeways installed in the state will be exempt from payment of entertainment tax for a period of five years from the date of commencement.
  
• New amusement parks set up will be exempt from entertainment tax for a period of five years from the date of becoming fully operational.