Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has said that the central government should consider a special package for industrialists of Punjab.

He pointed out that the industry in the state has suffered because of two wars with Pakistan and during the peak days of militancy and is now facing a difficult time. He was addressing a national seminar on small-scale industry organised by Laghu Udyog Bharati.

Dhumal dismissed suggestions that he industrial growth in Punjab has slowed because industrialists moved to sates like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir because of special industrial package given to these states.

"Neither any industry from Punjab shifted to HP nor did any industrialist migrate to HP after shutting down his unit here," Dhumal said.

He suggested that the central government can extend special area specific packages including Dhar block of Pathankot district, the 'kandi' areas adjoining HP or even to areas bordering Pakistan. He asked the central government to immediately act upon the proposal of the Punjab Government for special package.

Dhumal also pointed out that Himachal Pradesh has been a goof neighbor to Punjab as it provides 300-MW free power to Punjab during summer months.