Shimla, July 25:  The Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Monday approved the amended state Hydropower Policy, aimed at ending red-tapism in the state and making it more investor-friendly, an official said.

“The developer will now have to submit proposals to the deputy commissioner concerned to obtain approvals or no-objection certificates (NOCs) from different departments, including the gram panchayat,” a government spokesperson told IANS.

He said numerous clauses have been added to fix the time frame for granting the project clearances, including environment and forest clearances.

The cabinet was chaired by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

It also decided to reduce the additional goods tax on iron and steel from Rs 7.50 per quintal to Rs 5 per quintal.

It accorded approval to reduce value-added tax on CNG and anti-hail nets from 13.75 to 5 per cent.