Shimla, March 26
Himachal Pradesh has witnessed the establishment of 2,411 new industrial units over the past three years, while 88 units have shut down during the same period, Industries Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan informed the state assembly on Wednesday
The minister emphasized that the state government is focused not only on promoting new industrial ventures but also on strengthening the overall investment climate to facilitate the growth of industries in Himachal Pradesh.
Under the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) framework, the state has received a total of Rs 105 crore across various budgetary heads. Of this, Rs 5 crore was sanctioned specifically for exposure visits, with about Rs 2 crore already utilized.
To promote industrial investment, an MSME Fest was organized at the Ridge Ground in Shimla. A highlight of the exhibition was a single stall displaying 2,500 handmade shawls, which earned an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Alongside the exhibition, a conference of 250 CEOs was held, resulting in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 10,000 crore. Out of these, investment proposals totaling Rs 2,500 crore have already received Single Window Clearance.
On the education front, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clarified that Atal Adarsh Vidyalayas have not been closed. Construction work for these schools had begun under the previous BJP government, and the current administration is completing the pending work.
The Chief Minister further announced that the state government plans to establish Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools across Himachal Pradesh. Unlike Atal Adarsh Vidyalayas, which are residential schools, the new day-boarding schools will provide students with academic instruction and other facilities during the day. Administrative approval has already been granted for the establishment of three such schools in the Lahaul-Spiti district, Education Minister Rohit Thakur added.
The government affirmed its respect for both the current and former Prime Ministers while highlighting its efforts to expand educational and industrial opportunities across the state.
