Karnataka urges Centre to set up National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka is at the forefront of science and pharmaceutical research, and the union government should establish a unit of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in the state, Minister M B Patil said on Wednesday.
In a letter addressed to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, Patil assured that the state government would promptly provide the necessary land, infrastructure, support, and opportunities for collaboration.
According to a statement from the minister’s office, Patil recalled that the union government had earlier considered setting up the institute in Karnataka, though the proposal did not materialise at the time.
He urged the Centre to revive the plan, citing the state’s strong ecosystem of scientific research institutions and biotechnology companies.
Highlighting Karnataka’s leadership in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare services, Patil noted that Bengaluru alone is home to over 400 biotechnology companies.
"The state also hosts premier institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology (IBAB)," the statement said.
He added that innovation in the sector is actively supported through the state government’s bio-innovation centre and a progressive biotechnology policy.
With nearly 60 per cent of the country’s biotechnology companies based in Karnataka, the state accounts for about 12 per cent of India’s total pharmaceutical exports, the statement noted.
"It also has a robust ecosystem for clinical research, medical device manufacturing, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production. Taking all these factors into consideration, Patil urged the union government to sanction a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research for Karnataka," it added.
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2 detained after comment over wedding procession to Dalit house sparks clash in UP's Shahjahanpur
Shahjahanpur (UP) (PTI): Two persons have been detained after a clash broke out allegedly over remarks targeting a Dalit family's wedding procession in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur district, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred in Lai Kheda village under Tilhar police station area, where a wedding procession from Bareilly had arrived at a Dalit household on April 20.
According to SP Saurabh Dixit, when the procession was near the house of Rajpal Yadav, he allegedly made a remark saying "Now, Dalits will also take out wedding processions riding a buggy", leading to an argument. Yadav's side allegedly turned aggressive, escalating the conflict further.
Police said a scuffle ensued between the two sides. Upon receiving information, police personnel reached the spot and ensured that the procession was conducted peacefully after the incident.
An FIR was registered on Friday against Rajpal Yadav, Sumit, Amit, Surendra, Avdhesh Yadav and five unidentified persons based on a complaint. Rajpal Yadav and his son Sumit have been taken into custody and are being questioned, Dixit said.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, police said.
Dixit said preliminary findings suggest that Yadav, too, was hosting a function and processions from both sides had arrived around the same time. A dispute may have initially arisen due to a narrow passage and attempts to move the processions quickly.
Police have registered the case under relevant sections of the BNS and initiated further probe, officials said.
