Entrepreneurs in HP to get funding up to Rs 5 lakh under HIMUDA start-up policy: Minister

SHIMLA, May 16 : The Himachal Pradesh state government will be providing funding of up to Rs 5 lakh per proposal to young entrepreneurs under the HIMUDA Start-up and Student Innovation Policy, to boost economic growth and to generate employment opportunities.

This was stated by Town & Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani while he chaired a review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) on Saturday. During the meeting, the minister said that the policy aims to build a strong ecosystem for innovation and start-ups in the state.

“Keeping in view the geographical conditions of the state, the government was also exploring the possibility of funding start-ups related to disaster management under this policy”, said Dharmani.

He said that the projects of HIMUDA were aimed not only at meeting the housing needs of the people but also at creating new sources of revenue for the state.

“Given the rapid pace of urbanisation, urban development has become a vital pillar of the growth strategy of the state. To encourage planned development in the state, efforts are being made to implement ambitious projects such as Him Chandigarh, Him Panchkula and Kangra Valley Aero City “, said the minister.

He also informed that land for the Him Chandigarh project was being acquired through mutual agreement or land pooling.

“While keeping environmental conservation in view, a riverfront development project along the Sirsa River is also being prepared. These projects will be developed as future-ready urban centres to promote balanced regional development and reduce the growing pressure of urbanisation in the state,” he said.

Stressing the importance of information technology, it was said that an integrated digital platform under HIMUDA’s e-initiative model would be introduced. “This would provide stakeholders with online facilities such as allotment, e-drawing and e-auction”, he remarked. (PTI)