India Cements Ltd, a private cement firm, has signed a deal with the Himachal Pradesh government today to set up a Rs 750 crore cement plant. The MoU was signed by representatives of both the parties. 
 
"The Chennai-based company will execute the Gumma-Rohana cement mines in the Chopal region some 100km from here," a spokesman of the state government said . "TS Raghupathy, senior president of India Cements Ltd, and Ashok Thakur, secretary, industries, Himachal Pradesh government, signed the MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh," he noted. "The proposed cement plant involves an investment of Rs750 crore and is expected to start production within four years and will provide direct jobs to 300 people and indirect work to 4000 others," he added. 
 
"The state government is wary of signing deals with cement companies in the state to avoid disruption of villages and environment pollution in the fragile hills. But the Gumma limestone mines are isolated and far from habitation," said Virbhadra Singh.