Hind Bio-Pharma starts Rs 140 crore plant in Patiala

Delhi-based Hind Bio-Pharmaceuticals Ltd is putting up foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine production plant with a capacity of more than 100 million doses per annum at Rs 140 crore at Rauni (Patiala).

The vaccine is expected to be out in the market in 2008.

Company Managing Director Sirajuddin Qureshi said the plant would have advanced technology involving national and international experts and would generate high employment.

"We hope with the setting up of this plant, FMD can be controlled in India," Qureshi added.

At present, Punjab needs 17 million doses of the vaccine twice a year for providing protection to 8.5 million cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat and swine.

However, there is a shortage of the vaccine in Punjab due to the ongoing FMD vaccination programmes in the other states.

Also, as the livestock sector has a 17 per cent share in the GDP of the state, it is believed that the plant will of help in combating FMD.

Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Financial Commissioner DS Bains said at present, the requirement of the FMD vaccine in India was 300 million doses per year whereas hardly 80 million doses were available.

Under these circumstances, setting up an FMD vaccine plant in Punjab was a welcome step. He added this plant would also give employment to about 120 persons.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh laid the foundation stone of the plant on Friday.