Himachal Honoured as ‘Top Achiever’ under Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) – 2024
3 min read
Shimla, November 12, 2025
In yet another milestone for the hill state’s steadily advancing industrial landscape, Himachal Pradesh has been recognized as a ‘Top Achiever State’ under the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) – 2024, instituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India. The honour stands as a testament to the State’s reform-oriented governance, investor-friendly policies, and consistent strides towards a robust, industry-driven growth ecosystem.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the Government of Himachal Pradesh is firmly committed to delivering services at the doorsteps of investors. He emphasized that the State Government has extended comprehensive facilitation and support to investors across all sectors, and over the past three years, has undertaken a series of progressive, investor-friendly initiatives aimed at fostering a transparent, efficient, and enabling business environment in the State.
Himachal Pradesh earned this recognition for its commendable performance across three key reform areas — Construction Permit Enablers, Sector-Specific: Healthcare, and the Services Sector.
The award was conferred by the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, during the Udyog Samagam – 2025, in acknowledgment of exemplary reform implementation by various states and UTs. On behalf of the State government of Himachal Pradesh, the award was received by Shri Ajay Yadav, IPS (Principal Resident Commissioner, New Delhi) and Shri Rachit Sharma, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Sirmaur.
Under BRAP – 2025, the performance of States and Union Territories was assessed across 25 reform areas, including Starting a Business, Construction Permits, Labour Regulation, Land Administration, Environmental Registration, Utility Permits, Service Sector and Sector-Specific Services.
The ‘Top Achiever’ category was conferred upon States that secured over 90 percent scores, and Himachal have scored 98 percent, reflecting extensive reform implementation, operational online systems, and strong stakeholder feedback mechanisms. The evaluation involved an exhaustive assessment of 434 reform points, making it one of the largest national feedback-based exercises ever conducted — engaging over 5.83 lakh enterprises and completing more than 1.33 lakh interviews, thereby ensuring authenticity and transparency in reform outcomes.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Harshwardhan Chauhan, Hon’ble Industries Minister, Government of Himachal Pradesh, said that the ‘Top Achiever’ recognition under BRAP–2024 is a reflection of the reform-oriented governance and industry-centric vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He further added that the State Government has consistently endeavoured to build a transparent, technology-enabled, and investor-friendly administrative framework, ensuring that every reform translates into tangible ease for entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
Shri R. D. Nazim, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries), Government of Himachal Pradesh, remarked that the State’s performance underlines its structured and sustainable reform trajectory. Through digitization of approvals and strengthened accountability frameworks, Himachal has fostered a credible and facilitative industrial environment.
Dr. Yunus, Director (Industries), observed that this recognition will further inspire the Department to deepen and expedite the implementation of business reforms. Shri Tilak Raj Sharma, Additional Director (Industries), highlighted that the State Government has undertaken numerous reformative measures in the domains of industrial facilitation, investment promotion, digital service delivery and time bound approval.
He further apprised that and that the existing Single Window System has now been integrated with the new Single Window system.
Notably, an Integrated Online Single Window System, established under the Himachal Pradesh Single Window (Investments Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2018, provides over 150 services online, ensuring efficient investor facilitation. The implementation of The Himachal Pradesh Industrial Policy 2019, MSME Policy 2023 and the Startup Policy 2022 has further catalysed innovation and employment generation.
The State has been promoting balanced industrial expansion in emerging sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, healthcare, tourism, and wellness. Time-bound delivery of services is ensured through the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Guarantee Act, 2011. The Industries Department remains steadfast in its endeavour to position Himachal Pradesh as a premier investor-friendly hub.
