Industries Minister Kishori Lal today informed the state Assembly during the question hour that he had written a letter to Union Industries Minister Sikander Bakht, asking him to extend central transport subsidy to boost industrial production in HP.

Kishori Lal, in reply to the question of Kewal Singh Thakur said the state had been divided into three blocks to encourage balanced industrial development. Intervening on the issue, CM Prem Kumar Dhumal questioned the justification of giving a number of concessions to the cement units set up in the state by taking out cement from the negative list of industries to the positive list.

Detailing the incentive for the new industrial units, the industries minister said NRIs would also be encouraged to set up industries in the state. He said those units would also be encouraged which would help in the control of pollution. Earlier, Thakur in his supplementary alleged that the minister had not given details of special incentives available to NRIs.

Minister of State for Primary Education Karan Singh in reply to the question of Asha Kumari said the state government would hold examinations for entrance to JBT courses this year. He said issue of basic qualification was yet to be finally decided in consultation with the National Council for Teachers' Education.

Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda in a written reply told Gangu Ram Musafir that till June this year, 19,575 cases of gastroenteritis were reported of which 3,873 were admitted in various hospital. He said 13 deaths were also reported.

The forest minister in a written reply to Viplove Thakur said there was no proposal to extend the area of operation of Kandi and Changer projects presently under implementation.

Horticulture Minister Narinder Bragta informed the House that 1,200 trucks would be available from Patiala and Ropar in Punjab for transportation of the apple boxes during the forthcoming apple season.The minister said a proper agreement had been signed with the truck operators whose trucks would be exempt from the goods tax.

Bragta told Gangu Ram Musafir and Singhi Ram in reply to their question said that 2.57 crore apple boxes were expected during the apple season this year.

In reply to the question of R. R. Kaundal, Nadda said the state government would reconsider the withdrawal of recognition to Escort Heart Research Centre, Delhi for the state government employees.He said the state government was also carrying on correspondence with Batra Hospital for the same purpose. The CM intervening in the question said the government would also go through the records to find out why recognition for Escorts was withdrawn.