Take over ODCL for COVID vaccine manufacturing: BJP

By Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: As Odisha is struggling to get its quota of Covid-19 vaccine from indigenous producers, the State authorities might improve the drug manufacturing unit of Orissa Drugs and Chemicals Limited (ODCL) at Mancheswar right here for vaccine manufacturing, the BJP has mentioned.

A Central public sector enterprise, ODCL, a three way partnership between Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (IDPL) and Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL), has a ready-to-use unit for manufacturing of vaccine. 

“ODCL, which was manufacturing injections, tablets, capsules, liquid orals and ORS till December 2020, requires an investment of Rs 5 crore to make the facility ready for production of vaccine in vial form,” mentioned former basic supervisor of the corporate TK Pradhan.

He mentioned the present facility has the capability to fabricate 5 lakh doses of vaccine a day and it is going to be a game-changer if the federal government decides to speculate Rs 10 crore out of which Rs 5 crore is required to purchase again 51 per cent (computer) of IDPL share.

Set up as joint sector unit in May 1979 with IDPL holding 51 computer fairness and IPICOL having the remaining 49 computer share, ODCL began its manufacturing in 1984. The firm, nevertheless, continued to incur loss until Pradhan took over as basic supervisor in 2010.

Pradhan, who superannuated on May 10, mentioned the corporate began making revenue from 2011-12 until 2016-17. As IPICOL had proven curiosity to purchase again the 51 computer share of IDCL, the Department of Pharmaceuticals beneath the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers sought the views of the State PSU for taking up ODCL together with its property and liabilities. 

Since IPICOL is remitted for industrial promotion and to not do enterprise, the PSU expressed its lack of ability to take over the corporate. If the State authorities can present enormous incentives to Bharat Biotech within the form of land allotment, exemption of stamp obligation, capital funding subsidy, curiosity subsidy for manufacturing of Covaxin at Andharua right here, funding of Rs 10 crore for ODCL is peanuts, mentioned State BJP vice-president Bhrugu Baxipatra. The BJP chief requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for rapid takeover of ODCL which can go a good distance in assembly the vaccine want of Odisha and different states.

Former DMET, author Prof Nimai Panda passes awayCuttack: Noted biochemistry professor, educationist, medical administrator and researcher Dr Nimai Charan Panda died of previous age at his residence in Cuttack on Wednesday. He was 90. Dr Panda was former principal of SCB Medical College and Director of Medical Education and Training. Dr Panda, a author on science of reputation, had additionally been the president of Odisha Bigyan Prachar Samiti. He was awarded Kalinga Samman-2019 for his contribution to popularise well being science. He was additionally conferred with Gangadhar Rath Smaraki Samman-2013 for his contribution within the area of biochemistry.