The Save Pasteur Institute of India Coonoor Association, comprising the PII staff and the people's representatives, has issued a statement accusing the Institute's ousted director Dr Elangeswaran for his detrimental actions during his tenure which ultimately led to the closure of the century old establishment.

Pointing the director as the one and only person instrumental for the current awkward situation of the institute, the association has leveled allegations that the director's actions paved way for closing down the DTP production as early as March 2007.

However, by refusing all the charges, Dr Elangeswaran said, from May 2005 to September 2007, he has earned rupees 24 crore to the institute which is an all time record. Until 2000 the Central government has been importing BCG vaccine from different countries, where as from 2000 to 2007 BCG Lab at Guindy in Chennai met the country's total requirement of BCG vaccine.

The Save forum said the former director has done every harmful act in the guise of implementing GMP compliance, but no concrete action has been taken towards attaining universal standards.

When Dr L N Rao Bhau, served as director before Dr Elangeswaran assumed charge had taken steps towards the GMP compliance. Later when the HSCC has taken steps to create the facilities, Dr Elangeswaran as director did not support it. This has led to lapses in adhering GMP compliance.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary to Health on March 17, 2007 by the director, it was stated that the Institute had decided to stop the production of DTP Vaccines and would manufacture only the bulk till GMP norms were met. It was a unilateral decision only of Dr Elangeswaran rather than of any other staff.

In the statement they complained that the director was not available during the GMP audit in December 2006 and the Ministry had never recommended to stop the production of DTP vaccine, but had only asked to form a core group of experts to plan and execute it with highly professional and internationally recognized agency for implementing the GMP norms.

But after the GMP audit, he issued a circular unilaterally proposing to stop the production of Diphtheria and Pertussis components and to go ahead with TCARV (Tissue culture Anti Rabies Vaccine), Measles and TT alone. This action was also against the decisions taken by the Ministry.

When GMP inspection was conducted in the Institute on 9th and 10th of August, 2007 by the GMP experts who were deputed by the directorate general of Health Services and WHO, all the officers and officials assisted and co-operated with the committee except Dr Elangeswaran whose presence was very much needed. On the first day of the inspection he participated in a function conducted by the participants of a training programme and left the organisation soon.

Similarly he never attended the pre NRA assessment held during October 13 to 15, 2006, and just stayed at BCG Lab at Chennai sending an order for all the other Officers to attend it.

The association alleged that Dr Elangeswaran was rather interested only to de-link the Institute from Government control and the motive behind it was not known.

Apart from this he made frequent transfers among Officers and Officials to various sections. The transfers sometimes resulted in two or three officers for one section or a single officer who was in-charge for more sections. This has affected the production of vaccine components especially the Tetanus Toxoid component which is the back bone of the DPT group of vaccine.

They informed Pharmabiz that in the Institute, the ISO 9001:2001 Quality Management System was to be initiated during on 27 November, 2001 when the 20th Internal Audit was planned for 2nd July 2007. But it was cancelled by the director stating that 'ISO' activities were a 'wasting the time' and advised to concentrate on schedule 'M' requirements.

The statement goes on alleging that he had made agreement with some private sector companies for combination vaccine for EPI programme of Government of India.

He has also misused the discretionary powers assigned to him by making irrational appointments in contravention of CCS Rules and the bye-laws of the Institute. The association wanted the government to verify the entire recruitment procedures done during his tenure and appointments made without norms to be cancelled.

The director has made frequent suspension and terminations of staff from the services on baseless and fabricated charges without conducting any enquiry which shows his enmity towards the staff.

Some of the staff's probation periods of were extended without any valid reason and many other experienced staff have to opt for VRS to avoid harassment at the hands of the director, the statement alleged. Apart from all these, there are some allegations about financial dealings were also raised against the director.