The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers' Department of Pharmaceuticals provided details on support extended to pharmaceutical MSME clusters in Himachal Pradesh under the Strengthening of Pharmaceuticals Industry (SPI) scheme. Under the Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities (APICF) sub-scheme, two projects in Solan District received approval: M/s Welzo Research & Development Private Limited was approved in FY2022-23 with ₹19.53 crore Grant-in-aid and has completed establishment of Research & Development and Testing Laboratory, receiving disbursements of ₹5.86 crore (FY2022-23), ₹4.88 crore (FY2023-24), ₹6.84 crore (FY2024-25), and ₹1.95 crore (FY2025-26). M/s Himachal Pradesh Testing Lab Limited (HPTLL) was approved in FY2025-26 with ₹17.87 crore sanction for establishing a Common Facility Centre for Research & Development and center of excellence for skill development, though financial assistance remains pending due to unmet procedural requirements.
Under the Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS) sub-scheme, aimed at facilitating technology upgradation to Revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP certification, 16 pharmaceutical units in Solan District were approved with ₹17.19 crore sanction in FY2024-25, while 27 units received ₹29.02 crore approval in FY2025-26. From these approvals, incentives totaling ₹6.42 crore have been released to seven pharmaceutical units. However, 21 applications from Himachal Pradesh units are currently pending due to a temporary restriction awaiting the Expenditure Finance Committee/Standing Finance Committee's decision on sub-scheme extension. The minister confirmed no pending proposals from Himachal Pradesh under the APICF sub-scheme.