PCI to decide on applications of pharmacy institutions for grant of approval by Nov 15: SC

Accordingly, PCI has asked all the institutions to go through the recent order issued by the apex court and to comply with it for applying for approval of institutions.

Petitions were filed by pharmacy institutions including N K College of Pharmacy before the Supreme Court. The apex court, hearing the plea and the submissions of the PCI in October, permitted the petitioner institutions to file an affidavit before the Court that the infrastructure and other amenities which were available at the time of inspection are still available, following which the PCI shall consider their applications for approval.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for PCI, submitted that the inspections in these institutions were conducted between 2019-2020 and there is a possibility that the infrastructure, teaching faculty and other facilities, which were available with the institutions at that time, may not be available today. If, on the basis of said inspections, the applications of the petitioners are to be entertained, it may cause great prejudice to the students, he said.

He added that if the petitioners file an affidavit before the Court stating that the infrastructure and other facilities, which were available at the time of inspection conducted, their applications could be considered.

The Court permitted the institutions to file the affidavit stating that all facilities including infrastructure, teaching and non-teaching staff etc., which were available at the time of inspection conducted pursuant to the interim orders of various High Courts are still available.

The Court further clarified that in on the date of filing of the petitions, the petitioners had a valid No Objection Certificate from the concerned State Governments and the requisite affiliation from the Universities/Boards concerned, the same shall be considered as a valid date for the present academic year.

The Order is also applicable to all such applicants who are governed by the interim order passed by the Delhi High Court or any other High Court.

The order issued by Justice B R Gavai and Justice B V Nagarathna said,

"The PCI shall take decisions on the applications for grant of approval on or prior to November 15, 2022. If any appeals are filed before the Appellate Authority, the same shall be decided prior to December 15, 2022. In the facts and circumstances of the case, the last date of admission, insofar as new colleges are concerned, is extended till December 30, 2022."

To view the original order, click on the link below: