THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the occasion of the second anniversary celebrations, the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government has announced three major projects - Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET), a Plastic Park and a Pharma Park - as its gift for the state.
Addressing a news conference here on Friday, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar said that the state government should provide at least 100 to 200 acres of land for setting up the projects worth over `1,000 crore each. He pointed out that the 23 CIPETs across the country had produced over 40,000 engineers and technicians over the years. Announcing the government plan to expand the plastic industry in the country, he assured 100 per cent placement for the students who graduate from CIPET. This apart, the Centre will also set up a Plastic park in the state.
Pharma Park
Announcing the government decision to set up a Pharma Park worth over `1,000 crore, the Union Minister pointed out that the country produces medicines worth over `2 lakh crore and exports them to almost all countries. “Every two out of five tablets in the world are made in India. In view of the fast developing pharma industry in the country, Kerala also can be pharma hub of the country,” he said.
Stressing the importance of providing land for the projects, he said in view of the scarcity of land in Kerala, the Centre would give it the concession of limiting the area to 200 to 500 acres of land for the Pharma park.
He said as of now, 60 per cent of the medical devices were being imported from abroad. With the setting up of pharma parks in the country, spending on import could be reduced substantially.
PM’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana
The minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was giving utmost attention in ensuring the health security of the citizens and the Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana was launched in its direction. He also announced that 200 Pradhan Manthri Jan Aushadhi centres will be set up in the state.
The Centre is also planning to set up 3,000 such centres across the country to provide 500 generic medicines and 150 medical devices at 30 per cent of its original cost.
Plastic Management Centre
Referring to the crisis in managing solid waste materials, the minister said that the Centre was ready to set up a Plastic Management Centre. “We will ink an MoU with the state in this regard in a month, if it can provide just two acres of land for the project,” he said.
Advice to Pinarayi Vijayan
Maintaining that he had a piece of advice to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ananth Kumar said: “Pinarayi Vijayan had a mandate and the BJP accepts it. But he should make sure that he says ‘no to corruption, no to crime and yes to cooperation with the Union Government’ to ensure development of the state and for the well being of the country.”