Lok Sabha Question No. 62 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve, Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 62 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 th  July, 2024

## Revamped Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme

- *62 Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve:

Shri Arvind Ganpat Sawant:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  implemented  the  Revamped  Pharmaceuticals  Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS) to upgrade the technological capabilities of the pharmaceutical industry in alignment with global standards;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  certain  comments  of  the  Department  of Pharmaceuticals (DoPs) against the reputation of small drugmakers;
- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  response  of  the  Government  on  the  alleged discrimination between the big pharma companies and medium and small drugmakers; and (e) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to stop discrimination against the micro, small and medium enterprises while giving the benefits of RPTUAS?

## ANSWER

MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to the LOK SABHA STARRED Q. NO. 62 (2 nd  POSITION) for answer on 26.07.2024 raised by Shri Shyamkumar Daulat Barve and Shri Arvind Ganpat  Sawant  regarding 'Revamped  Pharmaceuticals Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS)'

Pharmaceutical  Technology  Upgradation  Assistance  Scheme  (PTUAS)  has  been revised  and  renamed  as  'Revamped Pharmaceuticals  Technology  Upgradation  Scheme' (RPTUAS) on 11.03.2024 with a view to increase the uptake and to help the pharmaceutical industry align  its  production  process  with  best  global  standards.  The  Department  is implementing  the  RPTUAS  sub  scheme  as  a  part  of  "Strengthening  of  Pharmaceuticals Industry (SPI)' Scheme.

The objective of the RPTUAS sub-scheme is to facilitate the existing Pharma Units to upgrade to Revised Schedule M and WHO-GMP standards. The intended beneficiaries would include existing pharmaceutical manufacturing units having turnover of less than Rs. 500 crore over the last three  years.

Pharmaceutical units with following average turnover criteria for the last three years are eligible for incentive subject to a maximum of Rs. 1.00 crore as under:

-  Turnover from Rs. 1.00 crore to less than Rs. 50.00 crore:- 20% of investment under eligible activities;
-  Turnover from Rs. 50.00 crore to less than Rs. 250.00 crore:- 15% of investment under eligible activities;
-  Turnover from Rs. 250.00 crore to less than Rs. 500.00 crore:- 10% of investment under eligible activities;

A complaint was received against an Assistant Section Officer (ASO) for sending an email  to  pharma  associations  using  language  that  is  not  officially  proper. Even  though  the communication was informal, a show-cause notice was issued to the concerned officer.

The officer has apologised for the same.  Nevertheless, competent authority has rejected the reply and initiated departmental proceedings against the erring officer.

Under  Revamped  PTUAS  Scheme,  an  application  window  has  been  opened  w.e.f. 11.04.2024 and more than 100 applications have been received.  Seven (07) applications have been approved and all the seven (07) approved applicants are MSMEs. The sanction/ approval letter have been issued to all approved applicants.

The purpose of SPI scheme is to make the MSMEs self-reliant and at par with global standards by supporting technological upgradation. The Department is committed to support MSMEs and aims to give maximum benefits under the RPTUAS sub-scheme.

*****