CM lays foundation stone of Rs 268 crore Pepsi bottling plant at Kandrori

Dharamsala, December 20, 2023: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today laid the foundation stone of the Pepsi bottling plant of Varun Beverages Limited to be built at a cost of Rs.268 crore at Kandrori in Indora assembly constituency of district Kangra.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that this would be the biggest industry in the district and provide more than two thousand employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth. Himachal is a suitable destination for investment and the state government is providing much needed facilities to the investors, he said, adding that the roads leading to the industrial belts will be improved.

To make the State self reliant, the Government is taking necessary measures besides inheriting huge debt from the BJP government, stated the Chief Minister. Foreseeing the fiscal health of the State, the government is working tirelessly to bring back the derailed economy on the track and it will take three to four years to recover, he reiterated. However, the economy of the state has improved by 20 percent in the last one year and we have set a target of becoming self-reliant by the year 2027 and making Himachal the most prosperous state of the country by the year 2032, he remarked.

"Our government mulls to make changes in the industrial policy as well so as to generate more avenues of employment besides providing better facilities for the investors. Many other big industrial houses will be set up in Kangra district in near future," he said.

The government has launched first phase of the Rs 680 crore Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme under which 50 percent subsidy is being provided to the youth for the purchase of e-taxi and they will also be ensured fixed income, he said and added that in the second phase of this scheme, youth would be encouraged to set up solar energy projects, so that they can get better means of livelihood. Along with this, a scheme is on the anvil in the next budget for uplifting agrarian economy and benefits the farmers, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that all the formalities for setting up the plant was completed in three months. He said that in the last one year, investment worth Rs 10 thousand crore has come into Himachal Pradesh. Special attention was given for the development of Kangra district and efforts were afoot to make it 'Tourism Capital' of Himachal. He said that the state government was working with commitment to open more employment avenues for the youth and the Rajiv Gandhi Start up scheme was the first step in this direction, fulfilling one of the guarantees.

Thanking the Chief Minister, the Local MLA, Malendra Rajan said that the beginning of establishing industries in Kandrori belt will make the area economically prosperous. He said that during the tenure of the UPA government, Rs 102 crore was provided for the establishment of industries in Malout of his assembly constituency, due to which industrial investment started coming here. He said that there is huge production of Kinnow, Orange etc. in Indora assembly constituency and the establishment of the plant will also benefit the horticulturists of the area.

Chairman Varun Beverages Limited Ravikant Jaipuria said that this Pepsi plant would be ready in a year. "We will expand the health facilities in the area under corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the company will also provide assistance for the skill development of the local youth", said Sh. Jaipuria. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the state government for the assistance provided in setting up the plant.

Agriculture Minister, Chander Kumar, Cabinet Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Sunil Sharma, former minister, Thakur Singh Bharmouri, President District Kangra Congress Committee Karan Pathania, Ex MLA, Ajay Mahajan, congress leaders, Surinder Mankotia, HPSIDC Vice Chairman, Vishal Chambiyal, Chairman Kangra Cooperative Bank, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Principal Secretary Industries, R.D. Nazim, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Nipun Jindal were also present on the occasion amongst others.