AP Government signs MoU with CSIR-IICT to set up Bulk Drug Pharma Park

On September 3, 2020, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (APIIC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) to set up a Bulk Drug Park (BDP) in the state. 

The park will be set up in a minimum of 2,000 acres at a cost of Rs. 6,940 crores in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh.

It is being set up under the BDPs scheme of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India.

Signing of MoU:

Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister Mekapati Gautham Reddy attended the MoU signing session through virtual mode from Nellore. Senior officials from both sides exchanged documents at the APIIC headquarters in Mangalagiri. 

Key Points:

i.The BDP will be established in the State by seeking financial support from the Government of India.

ii.CSIR-IICT will provide technical support as a knowledge partner in preparing the proposal to be submitted by the AP Government to Department of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India.

iii.AP is playing a major role in the Indian Pharmaceutical Sector. It stands at the third position with $5 Billion output and $1 Billion worth of Exports. 

Proposal by GoI:

i.The Central Government has proposed to develop 3 BDPs in the country through partnership with the State Government. Andhra Pradesh will be the first state to establish BDP.

ii.It will provide a grant-in-aid to the States with a maximum limit of Rs. 1,000 Crore per park with 70% financial assistance to the selected park.

iii.The project will involve a private partner who will offer land, design, build, finance, develop and operate the park. 

iv.IICT-CSIR will act as the knowledge partner.

v.The proposals submitted by states will be examined by a council set up by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, GoI. They will be ranked on the basis of marks. The top three states will be given in-principle approval, after which Details Project Reports (DPRs) will be submitted. 

Recent Related News:

i.Union HRD (Human Resource Development) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and Minister of State (MoS) for HRD Sanjay Dhotre launched the first online National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) programme for 1,200 key resources persons (KRPs) of Andhra Pradesh (AP).

ii.Andhra Pradesh (AP) Chief Minister (CM) Yeduguri Sandinti Jaganmohan Reddy has launched a mobile application ‘CMAPP (Comprehensive Monitoring of Agriculture, Price, and Procurement)’ with the aim to monitor the agriculture needs of the farmers in the state.

About Andhra Pradesh:
Governor – Biswa Bhusan Harichandan
Wildlife Sanctuary – Coringa, Kolleru, Krishna, Rollapadu, Gundla Brahmeswaram, Sri Lankamalleswara, Nelapattu, Pulicat, Kaudinya, Sri Penisula Narasimhaswamy, Kambalakonda. 

About CSIR:
Director General – Shekhar C. Mande
Headquarters – New Delhi