By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : August 04, 2026 6:52 pm
43 pharma units approved under RPTUAS; two common facility projects sanctioned in Solan
The Central Government has sanctioned more than Rs. 84 crore under various sub-schemes of the Strengthening of Pharmaceuticals Industry (SPI) programme to enhance pharmaceutical infrastructure and technology upgradation in Himachal Pradesh, with Solan district emerging as a major beneficiary.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Supriya Patel, said that under the Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities (APICF) scheme, two projects in Solan district have been approved to strengthen common research and testing infrastructure.
The first project, Welzo Research & Development Private Limited, was approved in FY 2022-23 with a sanctioned grant-in-aid of Rs. 19.53 crore for establishing a research and development and testing laboratory. The project has been completed, with the Centre releasing the entire sanctioned amount in phases between FY 2022-23 and FY 2025-26.
The second project, Himachal Pradesh Testing Lab Limited (HPTLL), received approval in FY 2025-26 with a sanctioned grant of Rs. 17.87 crore for establishing a Common Facility Centre for Research and Development and a Centre of Excellence for skill development. However, financial assistance has not yet been released as procedural requirements under the scheme are pending from HPTLL.
The Minister informed that no APICF proposals from Himachal Pradesh are currently pending.
Under another SPI sub-scheme, the Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS), which supports pharmaceutical companies in upgrading facilities to comply with Revised Schedule-M and WHO-GMP standards, 43 pharmaceutical units in Solan district have been approved over the last two financial years.
During FY 2024-25, 16 pharmaceutical units were sanctioned incentives amounting to Rs. 17.19 crore, while in FY 2025-26, 27 units received approvals with a total sanctioned amount of Rs. 29.02 crore.
Out of these approved units, seven pharmaceutical companies have so far received incentives worth Rs. 6.42 crore, the Minister said.
Patel further informed the House that 21 applications from pharmaceutical units in Himachal Pradesh are currently pending under the RPTUAS scheme. The applications remain on hold due to a temporary restriction pending the finalisation of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC)/Standing Finance Committee (SFC) decision.