Himachal Government Accused of Misleading Assembly with False Industry Data Amidst Industrial Exodus

Shimla: The issue of industries leaving Himachal Pradesh became a heated topic during the seventh day of the state’s monsoon assembly session. Former Industries Minister and BJP MLA, Bikram Thakur, questioned the government about the number of industries established in the state over the last year and a half. In response, the government claimed that 5,293 new industries had been set up during this period, a figure that has sparked controversy. Thakur accused the government of presenting false data in the assembly. He expressed disappointment, stating that the inclusion of units from the Chief Minister’s Swavalamban Yojana in the count was misleading, especially since the scheme has been almost inactive due to a lack of subsidy funds. Thakur also highlighted that the increasing electricity rates and taxes have driven industries to leave the state. Furthermore, he pointed out that the industrial area of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) has seen industrialists being harassed by local gangs, with fingers being pointed at the local MLA and their family members. Thakur argued that the current government policies have led to a significant exodus of industries from Himachal Pradesh, and the situation is being falsely portrayed in the assembly.