Cong back to accusing BJP for ‘Himachal on sale’

SHIMLA: Less than a month before Himachal Pradesh hosting one of its high-end exercises to woo investments, Opposition Congress has again come out with its charge of ‘Himachal on sale” – a slogan which the opposition earlier had coined against previous BJP government then led by Prem Kumar Dhumal before 2012 polls.

Leading of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said here on Sunday, “Any effort of the state government to attract investment to boost development is normally seen as a positive initiative but the proposed Global Investor Meet 2019 (GIM) appears to be an extravagant exercise that is not likely to yield any concrete results.”

The BJP government has a target of attracting investments to the tune of Rs 85,000 cr at “global investors meet” slated for November 6 and 7 at Dharamshala.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the meet. Agnihotri alleged that the proposed meet seems to be more as “Global MOU Signing Festival” rather than a serious investors meet effort to attract investment going by the manner the government is handling the meet. Signing Mous can help create media headlines but it does not bring investment as has been the experience in other states where not even 25 percent of the Mous have been implemented during the period of economic boom, he said.

The leader of opposition said the entire focus was on publicity and no concern about the rules, regulations, environment and rights of the people which raised serious doubts about the investor meeting.

It may turn out to be another edition of "Himachal on Sale” the way the government is easing all norms in a vague manner and without any concern for the environment and bulldozing rights of people.

Agnihotri also asked the government to come out with a “white paper” and put black and white all the incentives... before the investors meet”.