North Karnataka Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Welfare Association has appealed to the Union government to urgently look into the problems faced by SSIs in North Karnataka in complying with the revised Schedule M norms. The representation is in a bid to prevent further closure of units as they are unable to comply with revised norms.

The north Karnataka region is represented by the districts of Raichur, Hubli, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Bidar, Belgaum and Bijapur. The region has included Dakshina Kannada district also.

The Association has stated that some of the units in the region had closed down as they could not implement the revised Schedule - M due to serious financial problems. The Association called upon the Parliamentary Committee members to visit the North Karnataka to ascertain the difficulties faced by SSIs in implementing the norms.
The four units in North Karnataka, which have been closed down due to non-implementation of revised Schedule M are Avon Malariana Pharma in Mangalore, Abdiel (lndia), Hubli, Bio-Ethical Pharmaceuticals, Hubli - Karwar Highway, and Bagodi Pharma, Hubli.

The Association pointed out that the non-compliance is due to various complex and technical issues. In this regard, the government should also make efforts to give a proper hearing to these units, the Association pointed out.

Another issue faced by the SSIs in the region is the loss of contract manufacturing jobs on account of the emergence of 'Excise Free Zones in the hill states. If the government does n't take a sympathetic stand, a large number of units in small sector would be forced to close down there manufacturing facilities in this area.