Founder Chairman of Information Technology major HCL Ajai Chowdhary met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Monday and discussed with him the possibility of expansion of company in the hill state.

During the meeting at state Secretariat in Dehra Dun, Nishank told Chowdhary that state government is committed for extending full support to IT industry and the companies can take benefit of industry-friendly environment of the state, an official release said.

Chowdhary said HCL has its unit in Rudrapur area in which epmloys nearly 1,500 people. He said the company planned to set up a factory for repairing of electronic appliances and a software development centre in the state.

Besides, the company also plans to do something in the field of computer education and training, he added.

The annual turnover of HCL is Rs 413 crore during the year 2010-11 and the company has fixed a target to take it to Rs 3,600 cr in the next five years, Chowdhary said.

Raising the issue of trade tax, Chowdhary said company's profit margins have shrinked as the state government has ended waiver in trade tax and the centre has increased excise duty on various computer parts. In this regard, he also urged the Chief Minister to look into the issue.

Later, Nishank directed Principal Secretary Finance to examine the issue of trade tax raised by Chowdhary and said if the revenue of the state increases and more people are employed by giving concessions to IT companies, the state government would waive the tax.

Nishank said the government has implemented a single-window system for industrialists for setting up of their units. He said the government is working on implementing E-governence and has linked all treasuries with the system.