Development of small scale industries in the era of liberalisation: A study of Himachal Pradesh Dr. Parkashchandel Department of Commerce, H.P.U. Centre for Evening Studies, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Online published on 10 February, 2012. Abstract Small scale industries are an integral and permanent part of a developing economy. Their ability to create jobs, foster entrepreneurship, utilize local skills and resources, andprovide depth to the industrial base in the economy makes them attractive to policy makers. In India the importance of small and medium industries cannot be underestimated. This sector has contributed to the overall growth of the GDP, to employment generation, and to exports. It is estimated that in terms of value, the sector accounts for about 45 per cent of the manufacturing output and 40 per cent of the total exports of the country and provide employment to 59 million persons in the country. Traditionally, the economy of Himachal Pradesh is dominated by the agriculture sector and industrialization in the state is comparatively a recent phenomenon. Himachal Pradesh has made a significant development in the process of industrialization. With the gradual investment in infrastructural facilities, formulation of welldefined industrial policy and marshalling of scarce resources available, the state has able to offset the locational and topographical disadvantages to a larger extent. With the ushering in of the liberalized economy and consequent delicensing and notification of special package of incentives for the state, the flow of investment has increased. Keeping all these in mind the present paper aimed at reviewing the present position and role of small scale industries in era of liberalization in Himachal Pradesh and also extends some suggestions to make them more productive in terms of employment generation, income generation and production. Top Keywords Socio-Economic Objectives, Fostering Entrepreneurship, Industrial Dispersal, Scientific Management, High- Tech Textile, Sophisticated Electronic Units, High Quality Precision Tools. Top |