PHDCCI hails Himachal's tax-free Budget

The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has hailed tax-free budget presented for the year 2009-10 by chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal Pradesh.

Dhian Chand, chairman HP Committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "The focus on infrastructure development, higher and technical education are highly welcomed by PHD Chamber as it will help the existing industries in the state and encourage new projects and investments." He called it "a people friendly and innovative budget".

While the PHD Chamber congratulated the state government on macro level growth of 7.7% as against 7.1% at national level during 2008-09, it hoped that with better administration, efficient governance and solid infrastructure support the growth rate will be accelerated in the coming fiscal.

"The state government's encouragement of the tourism sector in the state is another welcoming step. The submission of the proposed tourism development project plans to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the proposal for development of new tourist destinations and an effective implementation of the home-stay scheme are some very positive steps taken by state government," said Dhian Chand. Chand added that the memorandum signed with the ADB for the development of hydel projects in the state is also a very progressive step.