Haldwani: After the National Sports Day programme, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a dialogue with traders and industry representatives from the Kumaon division. At the programme held at ITC Fortune, traders raised several issues before the Chief Minister, including simplifying GST procedures, mandi fees, encroachment, parking, lease renewal, facilities in industrial areas, and better market access for local products. The Chief Minister assured them that their concerns would be addressed.
The Chief Minister said that traders and industries are the backbone of the state’s economy. From small shopkeepers to large entrepreneurs, they are playing an important role in the state’s development journey. He said the government is continuously working to create a safe, transparent and business-friendly environment for traders and entrepreneurs.
He said that the single-window system has been strengthened to simplify the ease of doing business. At present, more than 206 services of 26 major departments are available online through the single-window portal. The “Nivesh Mitra” mechanism has also been introduced for the quick resolution of problems faced by investors and entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister said that more than 29,000 new MSME units have been established in the state in the past few years, providing direct employment to around 1.27 lakh youth. He said the government’s aim is not to create obstacles for industries but to provide them with a supportive environment so that investment increases and new employment opportunities are generated.
To encourage young people towards entrepreneurship, the Chief Minister also mentioned the Uttarakhand Startup Policy and the ₹200-crore venture fund. He said the government wants young people in the hilly areas to be able to stay in their villages while building businesses for markets across the country and the world.
Referring to initiatives such as “One District, Two Products” to provide markets for local products, the Chief Minister said the government is working to give “Made in Uttarakhand” a strong identity in the country and across the world.
Referring to the COVID period, the Chief Minister said that during the crisis, grocery and retail traders delivered ration and essential goods to people without worrying about their own safety. He described the trading community as a strong pillar of the country and the state and called them true ambassadors of “Brand India.”
