Union government's Department of Ayush Scheme Monitoring Committee (SMC) is closely reviewing the progress of the Ayush Clusters. In this connection, the Project Management Consultant (PMC) briefed the SMC on the status of the projects approved so far.

The key objective is to coordinate and evaluate the projects so that the SMC can help to iron out the issues on setting up of the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), JSD Pani, president, Karnataka Indian Medicine Manufacturers Association (KIMMA) and chairman, Ayurpark Health Care Limited, the Karnataka SPV of Ayush Cluster told Pharmabiz.

In Kerala, CARe Keralam Limited, Thrissur, the first instalment of the grant was released to the SPV on January 5, 2009. The SPV is in the process of appointing technical consultant for detailed engineering and supervision. It intends to complete the project within two years.

In Maharashtra Ayush Cluster Pvt Ltd, Pune, five SPV members had withdrawn on December 3, 2008, including the member contributing land as equity. The promoters have been able to replace the manufacturer members and bridge the equity gap. A revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) is to be submitted.

In the case of the second cluster at Maharashtra, Konkan Ayur Pharma Private Limited, Sangameshwar, the DPR preparation is underway, equipment has been finalized, financial model and technical plan are through. The final approval is expected by this month end.

In Punjab, Herbal Health Research Consortium Private Limited, Amritsar, the DPR preparation is underway and would be ready for final approval this month.

At Orissa, Rushikulya Ayurvedic Cluster Private Limited at Ganjam, SPV members have not been able to produce documents to assess the viability.

Traditional Ayush Cluster of Tamil Nadu (P) Ltd (TACT), Chennai is being promoted by 20 manufacturers who have come together to register the SPV. The facility would be located on two acres of land at Sriperumbudur. The SPV has mobilized a corpus of Rs 30 lakh for the project.

Ayurpark Healthcare Ltd, Bangalore is promoted by 22 Schedule T certified manufacturers. The SPV has received a letter from the KIADB on the allocation of land at Dobspet and the members have contributed Rs 20 lakh to the corpus.

SMC stated that greater capacity building efforts should be put in and called on the State Governments to play a proactive role. The infrastructure major, IL&FS has been asked to submit a report within 15 days on the preparedness of the SPV members to take the project forward, informed Pani.

With regards to the projects in the pipeline at Andhra Pradesh, preliminary discussions with potential entrepreneurs in Rajamundri and Hyderabad have generated interest. Workshop is being planned for sensitization this month. .

In Jaipur, interaction with entrepreneurs indicated that they intend to set up manufacturing unit near a Common Facility. Efforts are on to mobilize the critical number of entrepreneurs.

In Maharashtra, at Nagpur, SPV is registered, but conditions for in-principle approval have not been fulfilled because of viability and critical mass.

At Guwahati, the baseline information has been compiled on Ayush manufacturers and cultivators of medicinal and aromatic plants. Sensitization workshop has been being planned in February end.

Though it is not mandatory for State Governments to contribute financially to the Projects, they should extend all support in terms of providing land, requisite approvals and clearances which could expedite the project execution, stated Pani.

The SPV have been asked to also have strong tie- ups for the procurement of raw material, a critical component for the survival of the sector. Integration with National Mission on Medicinal Plants, the cluster based Scheme of National Medicinal Plants Board was also emphasized. Expertise of the Global Agri System, Project Management Consultant for the NMPB Scheme would be sought at workshops conducted by IL&FS in Ayush clusters, added Pani.