The Reliance Industries would explore investment in agro-horticulture produce, Jio networking, sports sector, tourist resorts and setting up of mobile assembly units in the State.This was decided in a high level meeting with the members of Reliance Industries with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and other senior officers of the State following the meeting of the Chief Minister with Chairman Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani at Mumbai recently. The Chief Minister said that due to its diverse topography and varied climatic conditions the state had scope of cultivation of various types of fruits, vegetables and cereals. Himachal Pradesh was known as ‘Apple State’ was now poised to become fruit bowl of the country. He said that there was immense potential of investment in agro-based industries besides setting up of controlled atmosphere centres (CAC) in the State. This would not only help in value addition of the products but also achieving the endeavours of the government to double the income of the farmers.Jai Ram Thakur said food and fruit processing was another area which has great scope for investment. He said that apple and mushroom were two major crops of the State which require greater logistic support for their better marketing and value addition. He also invited the Reliance Industries to invest in this sector besides providing support in knowledge dissemination so that the farmers could get best knowledge about latest technology and techniques.The Chief Minister said that being a hilly State, the youth of the State are hard working and full of stamina. He requested the Reliance Industries to come forward to invest in sports sector. He said that Talent Identification Sports Centres could be established besides exploring scope of setting up of high altitude training centres at Dharamshala and Shimla.
He also informed the delegation that the State Government has identified about 80 bighas of land at Sarah near Gaggal in Kangra district where a sports centre of excellence could be developed. A similar centre could be set up at Mandi and Shimla.Jai Ram Thakur said that since about 80 percent of population of the State was covered by Jio Network, the company should come forward to install more robust optical fibre network in the State. He said that optical firbre for all the large, medium and small business establishments needed to be strengthened for which State Government would provide all possible help. The State Government would also facilitate the Reliance Industries in faster electrification of Jio Tower sites.The Chief Minister said that the Government has also identified a prime piece of land at Baddi in Solan district where Reliance industries could set up its mobile assembly units. He said that the State Government would ensure all possible assistance to Reliance Industries for setting up of this unit.Jai Ram Thakur said that during his meeting with Chairman of Reliance Industries, he had expressed keenness in setting up of five star hotel at Dharamshala. The State Government would ensure that land was made available to the Reliance Industries at the earliest so that it could establish this tourist resort.Director, Industries Hans Ram Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister and representatives of Reliance Industries.Head of Reliance Industries team visiting the State Mahinder Nahata thanked the Chief Minister for assuring wholehearted support to the Reliance Industries for setting up the units in the State. He said that Reliance Industries was keen to invest in agro-processing, sports and wellness sector, setting up of resort at Dharamshala and mobile assembly unit at Baddi.Industries Minister Bikram Singh, Additional Chief Secretaries Ram Subhag Singh, Manoj Kumar and R.D. Dhiman, Principal Secretaries Prabhodh Saexna and J.C. Sharma, Director Information Technology Rohan Chand Thakur Managing Director, HPSEB Shri J.P. Kalta, Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister and Director, Youth Services and Sports Vinay Singh and representatives of Reliance Industries Shyam Maidkar, Venkat ji, Kapila Ahuja, Vishwas, Atul Kansal, Rohit Puri, Nilesh Bhatt, Aditya Knawar and Ashwani Negi were also present in the meeting.