Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/ Dehradun, 14 Feb 2008

The Uttarakhand government appeared to have started cracking the whip on all those industries which are taking benefits of the tax holiday scheme but have not begun any construction or production.

A total of 20 industrial plots have been cancelled so far and all others, which have not started their production, are being given notices, top officials today said.

The plots of these industries were cancelled after they failed to start construction work at the industrial estates developed by State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL). While eight industries are from Haridwar, 12 are from Pantnagar, they said.

The plots were cancelled after Chief Minister BC Khanduri took serious note of all those industries, which were allotted industrial plots but did not start any construction work. The industries whose plots were cancelled include PSR Aqua, Gauri Shankar Alloy, Essar Jee Udyog, Veekay Polycot, Tarmit Shri Kunj, SB Industries and Indica Foods.

However, under the SIDCUL’s policy, these industries can apply for restoration of their cancelled plots, the sources said.

Under these provisions, the government would ask all these defaulting industries to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs 5 lakh and complete construction in six to nine months.

In case the industries fail to meet the provisions again, the allotment would be cancelled, the official said. This was being done after these industries gave fresh representation to SIDCUL pleading that their plots should not be cancelled and that they were ready to start construction immediately.

When contacted, government officials said nearly 15 to 20 notices had been served to various industries in Pantnagar which have not started production so far. These industries have been asked to start production immediately, the official warned.

News Source: http://www.business-standard.com

13 Feb 2008
By Yashodhan Jadhav | Uttarakhand

Leisure Hotels Ltd plans to open a new resort and leisure property, Astoria, in Naukuchital, Nainital. It is expected to be operational by May 2008.

The hotel will cater to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) clientele, in the region of Uttarakhand. Ajay Kareer, General Manager, Operations, Leisure Hotels, says, “At present we are looking at promoting our leisure properties in Uttarakhand, but there is potential for such projects in western and central India, which we are keen to explore.”

Astoria, the 40 room leisure property will provide four star services along with conference facilities, a multi cuisine restaurant and a bar. The projected average room rate (ARR) will be about Rs 2800. Astoria expects guests to stay for two to three nights on an average. The hotel also has plans to team up with a local tour operator to promote adventure tourism in the region.

The management has tied up with Resort Condominiums International (RCI) for the resort’s marketing activities. The property will be marketed through the timeshare module. A part of its inventory will be shared with Mahindra Holidays.

Leisure Hotels currently operates 17 properties under different brands. Their portfolio consists of resorts, luxury camps and heritage properties across the state of Uttarakhand.

Inputs by Anita Jain

News Source: http://www.travelbizmonitor.com