The Hindu Business Line : CMs of Northern region to meet on Feb 13

THE Chief Ministers of the Northern Region are to converge here at the Fifth Chief Ministers' Conference on February 13. The conclave is being held under the aegis of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Phdcci) with the theme `Growth synergies for northern States'.

``The conclave will address the need for evolving a common market in the Northern region by harmonising various taxes like octroi, sales tax and other indirect taxes. The different levels of taxation and entry barriers impacts inter-State movement of goods,'' Mr Ravi Wig, President of Phdcci, told newspersons here.

Mr Wig said that five Chief Ministers (Delhi, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan) and the Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh have already confirmed their participation at the conclave.

At the conclave, Phdcci is also expected to make a case for a common labour law among the States of the northern region.