Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat takes up IDPL revival with Centre

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat today sought the Centre's help to revive Rishikesh-based sick drug manufacturing company Indian Drugs and Pharmaceutical Limited ( IDPL).

Rawat has also urged for one-time financial assistance from the central government for maintenance of IDPL plants and machinery.

Rishikesh unit of IDPL was established to supply essential drugs to central government and state government organisations and pharmacies on reasonable rates along with the company's Gurgaon and Hyderabad units, but it was declared sick in 1992.

Ever since then, IDPL employees and stakeholders of the company have been demanding its revival.

Rawat made the demand for IDPL's revival when he met Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Anant Kumar in New Delhi today, an official release here said.

Noting that IDPL buildings, machinery and plants in Rishikesh have been lying in disuse ever since it was declared sick in the 1990s, the chief minister suggested that it can be revived through utilisation of IDPL's properties in Gurgaon and Hyderabad besides Chennai where the company has its ancillary unit.

Drawing the Union Minister's attention to last year's calamity, Rawat said early revival of the company will help in supplying medicines to affected people besides generating job opportunities for local youths.