Replying in the legislative assembly during the question hour, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal said the government’s objective was never to hand over the vaccine maker to a private player.
The minister said the proposal was aimed at modernising the Mumbai-based Haffkine’s facilities through a partnership model for manufacturing vaccines and biological products.
The state had sought the Centre’s support for the modernisation of facilities for the production of vaccines, blood components and other biological products. Since only one company responded to the Expression of Interest, the proposal was not accepted, he added.
Opposition members sought clarification on whether the government would issue a fresh EOI, demanding a time-bound probe into alleged irregularities, and urged that a full-time senior officer be appointed to lead Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical for at least three years to ensure administrative stability.
Members also demanded that FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, considered an upright officer, be given charge of the company, to which the minister agreed.
While ruling out privatisation of Haffkine, he admitted that production had come to a halt and the organisation was facing a manpower and funds crunch.
Members also alleged that production of anti-snake venom doses had declined because procurement was being made from outside suppliers instead of manufacturing them at Haffkine, and raised concerns over the proposed sale of the corporation’s land at Jalgaon and Parel.
They sought an explanation for documents belonging to the corporation allegedly being found with a private company and called for greater accountability in its functioning.
Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded that the Maharashtra government categorically state in the assembly that the Haffkine corporation would not be privatised. He also asked the government to allocate Rs 150 crore to strengthen the institution.
Wadettiwar accused the government of not being consistent about its stand on Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical. He said the government had earlier claimed that not an inch of Haffkine’s land had been allotted, but later it emerged that five acres had been given to the Tata Group for a research centre under an agreement.
The minister clarified that the land hasn’t been sold to the Tatas but given on lease.
Wadettiwar said the government itself had stated that around Rs 150 crore was required for setting up “Triveni” vaccine production facilities and upgrading machinery at Haffkine. “If such a limited investment could revive the institution, there was no reason for private entities to eye Haffkine’s assets, valued at around Rs 1,500 crore,” he claimed.
The Congress leader urged the government to give a clear assurance in the House that the historic public health institution would not be privatised.
Zirwal clarified that there was no proposal to privatise Haffkine Bio-Pharma Corporation Ltd. He also said that a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with officials and legislators, would be convened to discuss measures for strengthening the institution.
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