Shimla, June 12 -- As the Congress and BJP trade barbs over the upcoming Bulk Drug Park in Una, Himachal Pradesh industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan has blamed cumbersome clearance processes under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) for the project's delays.

Speaking to HT on Thursday, Chauhan said, "The biggest hurdle facing the project is obtaining approval under the FCA. Permission for felling trees over approximately 500 acres of land has not yet been granted, affecting progress in certain parts of the project."

Chauhan's statement follows allegations by leader of the opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, who accused the state government of stalling the Bulk Drug Park and other centrally sponsored projects.

Dismis...