Hill states woo pharma firms

With Elder Pharma and Lupin all set to install their new facilities in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal, the two states are vying with each other to entice such companies.

A delegation of the Uttaranchal government headed by Industrial Development Secretary Sanjeev Chopra went on a two-day trip to Mumbai to woo pharma companies.

"Pharma companies are pollution-free, and so we want to see their healthy growth of in our state," said Chopra, who was accompanied by Alok Kumar, managing director of the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Ltd (Sidcul).

The delegation attended a conference of pharma associations in Mumbai and held parleys with leaders of major companies like Concept Pharmaceuticals, Lupin, and Elder. However, Chopra refused to divulge more information in this regard.

For wooing pharma companies, the government has opened a special cell to provide single-window facilities.

Uttaranchal is competing with Himachal Pradesh as both the states are offering heavy excise rebates and other incentives under the special package being offered by the central government.

Top government officials said Himachal was also trying to woo pharma companies for setting up facilities in Baddi area in that state.