India: The state government of Himachal Pradesh has issued a show cause notice to Adani Cement subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cements. The notice requires the producers to submit grounds for the government not to pursue 'appropriate administrative action' against the companies over the planned closures of their respective 4.4Mt/yr Gagal and 1.6Mt/yr Darlaghat cement plants. The administration says that it is prepared to take such action as is necessary to 'safeguard lives and livelihoods' across the various sectors impacted by the move.

The regional government said, "It is indeed alarming that you have not taken the state government or its functionaries into confidence before taking such a major decision involving the lives and livelihoods of so many stakeholders. Moreover, you have not even tried to approach or exhaust various forums, avenues, or channels available with the state machinery in order to resolve whatever concerns, grievances or issues that they might have."

The state of Himachal Pradesh owns the land on which the Gagal and Darlaghat cement plants are built and the associated limestone reserves.