The government today extended in- principle approval given for setting up of six National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) for the another two years.
The Cabinet had given in-principle approval for setting up six NIPERs at Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Hajipur, Rae Bareilly, Kolkata and Guwahati, in 2007 for two years.
"The present approval of the Cabinet allows the continuation of present systems in NIPER for the next two years so that the proposal is finally considered approved by the CCEA," Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni told reporters today.
The in-principle approval has been given so that studies should not get interrupted, courses can go on and the necessary financial approvals can be obtained, she added.
The first NIPER was set up at Mohali, Punjab in 1991.
There has been exponential growth in the sector and NIPER, Mohali cannot cope with this increased demand, she said.
The National Manufacturing Competitive Council had recommended setting up of additional NIPER like institute in other parts of the country, while the Working Group on Drugs and Pharmaceuticals under Planning Commission also suggested setting up of at least five more NIPER-like institutes during the 11th Five-Year Plan.
