A meeting of the task force of the AP Pollution Control Board, held on July 9, has recommended closure of 12 bulk drug units, including many prominent pharmaceutical companies, according to highly placed sources in the APPCB. However, the fair copy of the order has not been issued by the Board, allegedly due to political lobbying and pressure on the Board not to go ahead with the closure order. Of the 12 units, eight are located in Medak district and four in Ranga Reddy.
Sources revealed that as per the joint action plan submitted before the Supreme Court, the APPCB task force recommended closure of these industries on ‘precautionary principles’ which is done in order to prevent pollution and further damage in case ind-ustries are flouting norms. The 12 industries have been accused of producing products for which necessary permission has not been obtained, of using excess water, and thus discharging extra waste water, and using more boilers than permitted.
The companies recommended for closure are: M/s Sri Krishna Drugs Ltd in Uppal, Innogent Labs Pvt Ltd in Nacharam, M/s SMS Pharmaceutical Ltd in Bachupally, M/s Divis Pharmaceutical Ltd., M/s Hetero Drugs Ltd Unit IV in Jeedimetla, Hetero Labs in Gaddapotharam, Hetero Unit I and Hetero Unit V, M/s Covalent Pharma Ltd, Tyrus, Aurobindo I, Aurobindo II and M/s Cirex Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Sources revealed that these companies began political lobbying as soon as they got to know about the decision to prevent a fair copy being issued. Much hue and cry has been made about drugs being manufactured in larger quantities than sanctioned by the state pollution control board, but alleged political interference in the functioning of the board is not allowing APPCB to take necessary action against the erring companies.
Recently, an expert committee constituted on the instructions of the Appellate Authority found that samples from 15 bulk drug units contained a huge number of products for which consent had not been obtained during a surprise raid on each of these units.