Shimla, May 10 (IANS) Over 65,000 people from across the country want to buy a home in hilly Himachal Pradesh, with around 8,000 of them looking for a place in the grand old tourist destination of Shimla alone, officials say, citing a survey.

 
 "Over 65,000 people from across the country have expressed their desire to buy a flat in the state. Shimla has got the largest number of applications of 8,000," Ganesh Dutt, vice-chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA), told IANS.
 
 This came to light in a demand survey conducted by the state-run authority. The last date for applying for the demand survey was April 30.
 
 He said 40,000 people were keen to have a house in 12 district headquarters and the remaining wanted homes at the sub-divisional areas.
 
 The picturesque hill station of Kasauli in Solan district has emerged as the second most preferred destination. As many as 4,000 people showed interest in it.
 
 The town has a major location advantage due to its proximity to Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. It's also closer to the state's industrial hub of Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh.
 
 After Kasauli, Theog (2,200), some 45 km from Shimla, Baddi (2,500) in Solan district and Palampur (3,000), known for its tea estates in Kangra district, have also got  good response.
 
 After the demand survey, HIMUDA would identify and start acquiring land for flats, Dutt said.
 
 Under Himachal Pradesh land laws, only the state's permanent residents can buy land in the state. Others who want to purchase land for non-agricultural purposes have to seek relaxation under Section 118 of the tenancy and land reforms law from the government.
 
 But buying a house from HIMUDA is the best option as there is no need to get government permission, which is mandatory in case of purchase from a private realtor.