Question : Katoch Committee Report

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has received Katoch Committee Report on Bulk Drugs, if so, the action taken in the matter including consultations with other Departments on the recommendations for implementation;
(b) whether the Government is working to set up Pharma Parks, Bulk Drug Parks and Medical Devices Parks in the country, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs by 30 per cent which will make pharma industry competitive in the world;
(c) whether the Ministry has taken up the inverted duty structure of pharma industry with the Ministry of Finance;
(d) whether the Government proposes to carve out a separate Ministry of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, so as to give a boost to the sector, if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether it is a fact that India is exporting generic medicines to over 200 countries; and
(f) the steps being taken by the Government to incentive the Chemicals and Fertilizers industry with various infrastructure facilities, taxation reforms etc.?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

(a): Yes, Madam. The Department is examining the recommendation of the Katoch Committee in consultation with the all the stakeholders.
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(b): Yes, Madam, preliminary discussions are being done with stakeholders.

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d): Considering the potential of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Sector, the Department is presently discussing the issue.

(e): Yes, Madam.

(f): The Government is taking various steps to make the “Make in India” Campaign of the Government successful including for Chemicals and Fertilizers Industry like change in duty structure, implementing schemes to incentivize the industry etc.

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