Himachal Pradesh industries on verge of closure: Over 100 units seek lease transfer, industry minister confirms in assembly
Shimla, 04 September: In a worrying development for Himachal Pradesh’s industrial sector, over 100 industrial units have applied to the state’s industries department for lease transfer, indicating financial stress and temporary closure. This was confirmed by industry minister Harshwardhan Chouhan during Question Hour in the assembly on Wednesday in response to a supplementary question raised by MLA Bikram Singh.
Industry minister Harshwardhan Chouhan informed that though these industries are currently closed, they are not permanently shut. Instead, they are looking to sell their operations to other parties. Additionally, 80 to 100 industrial units have requested the state electricity board to disconnect their power connections, and many units have surrendered their GST numbers. These actions reflect the significant financial and operational challenges faced by these industries.
The minister further informed that several industries in the state have been forced to shut down due to various issues, including financial losses, operational difficulties and internal family problems. However, he pointed out that the Industries Department is not always informed about these closures, and efforts are underway to collect more accurate data.
Responding to earlier questions from MLAs Dr. Janak Raj and Jeet Ram Katwal, Chouhan provided a broader perspective, stating that 5,293 new industries were set up in Himachal Pradesh from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. He highlighted that despite the existing challenges, only one industrial unit, M/s Kiran P International Private Limited, has shifted to Haryana during this period.
Chouhan stressed that the exodus or closure of industrial units is often influenced by various factors beyond the control of the government, such as low market demand, competition with other similar industries, technological advancement and investor disputes. He assured the Assembly that the government is committed to providing a conducive environment for investment through its industrial policy.
However, concerns were raised by MLA Bikram Singh, who argued that many industries have moved out of the state due to lack of adequate facilities. He gave specific examples of industries that have shifted from Himachal Pradesh, and underlined the growing challenges the state faces in retaining industrial investment and ensuring the sustainability of its industrial sector.
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