The BDMA, as part of its various initiatives, is currently coordinating with the bulk drug manufacturing companies and the AP Pollution Control Board to resolve the pollution related issues in specific industrial zones of Hyderabad and other industrial belts of Andhra Pradesh, following a PIL filed against all manufacturing units that are causing pollution, by a NGO, the newly appointed director general of BDMA, wing commander CSV Ramany told Pharmabiz.

A public hearing in the industrial belts was held between April 6 and 13, 2005. A final report based on the public hearing is expected to be prepared and submitted to the State Pollution Control Board, which will further send its findings to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

Villagers in the vicinity of industrial estates who took part in the public hearing expressed that the pollution levels have gone down and the industry's presence has helped in generating more employment, he added.

When asked why BDMA's focus has been mainly on Andhra Pradesh and not national, Ramany said, a significant portion of the bulk drug production is from Andhra Pradesh. Once AP's bulk drug industry issues are addressed, a major task of the Association is accomplished.

Ramany added, BDMA has been instrumental in getting its members land in Pharma City at Parawada near Visakhapatnam at reasonable price. Large, medium and small companies are all benefited by spreading their operations to the Pharma City. Out of the 450 acres allotted for BDMA members, payments have already been made for 375 acres of land. The Association's members are paying Rs 4.5 lakh per acre in the industrial zone.
It may be noted that BDMA, Ramky Pharma City (India) Ltd and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) have finalised sale and development agreements in the second half of January 2005.

Reacting to the question, what steps are being taken up by BDMA when pharma companies are complaining that the developers of the Pharma City are constantly increasing certain charges / fee, Ramany said, the Association is negotiating with the developers to fix the charges.

The Association, after resolving the pollution related issues in the state, will focus on the disparity in the tax structure, he added.

Ramany took charge as the first director general on March 7, 2005. He said, that he had chosen this post as it was challenging to serve an industry which has responsibilities and further scope for improvement in terms of export performance. He has served 24 years in Air Force and took VRS in 1999.