MONTEK 2LST

Ahluwalia Monday met Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of
the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, and both agreed
on a plan size of Rs 3,000 crore for 2010-11 for the state.
Ahluwalia asked the state government to focus on
improving tourism and horticulture as the sectors have immense
revenue generation potential, he added.
Expressing satisfaction over the state's plan outlay of
Rs 3,000 crore for 2010-11, Dhumal told reporters, "We are
happy with the plan size. The state's plan outlay will have
top priority for social services sector and 33.69 per cent of
the total funds will be given to the sector."
On extension of tax holidays for the hill states, Dhumal
said, "The central government must continue the tax holiday
for Himachal and Uttranchal as well till 2013."
The central government had provided tax holiday for the
states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttranchal and Himachal Pradesh
in 2003. But now the government is continuing this benefit
only for the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kahsmir.
The tax holiday includes 100 per cent income tax and
excise duty exemption to all those setting up their units in
the state. PTI