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INDIAN STATE : HIMACHAL PRADESH
General Information
Himachal Pradesh came into being on 15th April 1948
as a centrally administrative territory by the integration
of 30 princely states. On 1st November 1966, its area
was increased by merger of districts of Kangra, Shimla,
Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and some other areas from Punjab
and Haryana. On 15th January 1971, Himachal Pradesh
attained Statehood and today it has twelve districts.
The State's announcement of a new industrial policy
in December 2004 has marked a watershed in its efforts
to open its economy, moving to the centre stage of national
and international business. The State Government is
currently bringing about further changes to accelerate
the process of administrative and economic reforms and
strengthen the in flow of domestic and foreign investment
into the state.
Fact File
| Geographical Area |
0.56 (lakh sq. km) |
| Capital |
Shimla |
| Population (2001 Census) |
In lakhs 60.78 |
| Gross State Domestic Product
(GSDP) at current prices in 2004-2005 (as of Feb
2006) |
20093 (Rs. Crore) |
| Gross State Domestic Product
(GSDP) at constant price (1993-94) in 2004-2005
(as of Feb 2006) |
9879 (Rs. Crore) |
| Net State Domestic Product at
Current Prices (2004-05) |
17884 (Rs.Crore) |
| Net State Domestic Product at
Constant Prices (1993-1994) for (2004-05) |
8765 (Rs. Crore) |
| Per Capita Income at current
prices (2004-2005) |
Rs 27486 |
| Percentage of State Population
to All India Population |
0.59 |
Literacy Rate (2001 Census)
Male
Female |
76.48
85.35
67.42 |
| Principal languages |
Hindi, English and Pahari |
Source: CSO Estimates
Advantage Himachal Pradesh
Strong support system conducive for the development
of well-developed industrial areas, industrial centres
and specialized complexes.
- Comfortable power situation in terms of generation
and supply at moderate rates.
- Abundant water resources suitable for the growth
of industrial units.
- Favourable agro-climatic conditions for a wide
variety of crops-vegetables, fruits, flowers, rice,
plantation and commercial crops.
- Ideal environment for the setting up of agro-based,
forest based, food processing, beverages, electronic
and hi tech industries.
- Peaceful industrial conditions with a minimal degree
of strikes and labour unrest. Prompt measures for
reconciliation of any disputes.
- Attractive tax and fiscal benefits offered by the
Government of Himachal Pradesh.
- Favourable investment destination
- High potential for the development of tourism and
related activities.
- Provision of packaged assistance to prospective
entrepreneurs and investors.
Economic Infrastructure
Finance
The Himachal Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation
Limited (HPSIDC) is the major agency for promotion and
establishment of industrial units in Himachal Pradesh.
Registered under the Companies Act 1956, HPSIDC is fully
owned by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. HPSIDC
is the major state level financial institution and provides
long-term loans for industrial projects. The important
activities of the Corporation are:
- Provision of term-loans.
- Development of industrial areas/ estates
- Provide escort services to entrepreneurs including
Non-Resident Indian (NRIs) for such matters as securing
registrations/ licences/ clearances from the statutory/other
authorities
Power
Himachal Pradesh has vast hydel potential. It has been
estimated that about 20,386 MW of hydel power can be
generated in the state by constructing various major,
medium, small and mini/micro hydel projects on the five
river basins. In addition a large number of unidentified
areas have still been left in the river basins, which
can contribute substantially to the power potential
of Himachal Pradesh by way of mini/ micro, medium, and
large projects. Further, in view of the rising cost
of thermal and nuclear generation, many identified projects,
which have been excluded from the above mentioned hydel
potential on account of non-suitability due to high
cost of generation, will also become viable in future.
On these two considerations, a conservative estimate
of the total potential in Himachal Pradesh can be put
up at 25,000 MW or even more.
Civil Aviation
There are three airports in the state namely Shimla
at Jubbar Hatti, Kangra at Gaggal and Kullu at Bhuntar.
Social Infrastructure
Education
According to 2001 census, Himachal Pradesh has a literacy
rate of 76.5 per cent. The literacy rate for males stood
at 85.3 per cent and at 67.4 per cent for females.
High/Senior Secondary Education
During the year 2005-06, up to December, 2005, there
were 2193 notified middle, 953 high and 709 senior secondary
schools out of which 2,165 middle schools, 937 High
and 701 senior secondary schools were functioning in
the state, under the state government management.
University and Higher Education
There were 44 Degree colleges in the state up to December
2005.
Private
State University Act (.pdf)
The Himachal Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment
and Regulation) Bill 2006 has been passed to provide
for establishment, incorporation and regulation of private
universities in the state for higher education and to
regulate their functioning and for matters connected
there with or incidental thereto.
Health
In Himachal Pradesh, Health and Family Welfare Department
is providing curative, preventive, promotive and rehabilitative
services through a network of 50 civil hospitals, 66
community health centres, 439 primary health centres,
22 civil/ESI dispensaries and 2069 sub-centres. To provide
better health services to the people, the government
is strengthening the existing infrastructure by providing
modern equipments, specialised services, increasing
the strength of the medical and paramedical staff in
the medical institutions and upgrading the status of
the existing medical institutions.
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