Himachal drug manufacturing hub relies on other states for remedy

Baddi, the drug manufacturing hub in Himachal Pradesh that has been supplying life-saving medicines to domestic and international markets, lacks hospitals to treat local patients.

Baddi, Nalagarh, Ramgarh and Barotiwala in the foothills of the state, account for an industrial zone that contributes significantly to the state's excise revenue of about Rs 810 crore. People here, however, have to depend on the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, particularly on the cities of Chandigarh and Panchkula, for health services such as secondary and tertiary care.

Local authorities say this region, which has a population of about 250,000, has only two small private nursing homes and a community health centre. The region has several adjoining villages, with 69 panchayats.

Residents complain for any emergency health care need, even small surgeries and deliveries, they have to rush to Chandigarh and Panchkula. "Health care is a major problem in this region. Today, every town in the country has good hospitals and clinics, but no one wants to come here because of the lack of infrastructure," says Sanjeev Kumar, a Baddi resident who owns a shop on the Baddi-Nalagarh road.

Due to tax incentives and special economic zone status, the region has developed as an industrial hub, with many manufacturing facilities. Nalagarh Industry Association president Vinod Khurana says the four Assembly constituencies - Baddi, Nalagarh, Ramgarh and Barotiwala - house about 5,000 industrial units, including the manufacturing facilities of major pharmaceutical companies such as Glenmark, Abbott and Fresinius Kabi. Hindustan Unilever and Vardhaman Industries, along with other textile manufacturers, chemicals and packaging units also have significant presence in this area.

This special export zone manufactures products for various international markets, including the US, Europe and Africa.

"It is sad that despite having so many factories and industrial units in the region, none of the corporates are interested in building a hospital here that caters to the needs of locals," said a senior official. Asked why the local administration didn't insist corporate social responsibility funds be used for starting hospitals here, the official said this required the Centre's intervention, as well as companies' intent, which was probably missing.

"There is no development in the region, even as the state garners most of its revenue from this place. Nobody wants to come here. There are industries, but people working in these factories do not want to live here because of the lack of facilities," says Ravindra Singh Thakur, an advocate living in the area.

According to PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry data, Himachal Pradesh's excise collection increased from Rs 209 crore in 2000-01 to Rs 810 crore in 2012-13, annual average growth of 12 per cent.

Even as the Congress-ruled state goes to the polls on Wednesday and campaigning has gathered pace in various regions, including Baddi and Nalagarh, which will vote for the Shimla parliamentary seat, political parties have given local issues a miss.