Spurred by the fight for level-playing field for the small scale sector forcing significant results in the Union budget by way of cut in excise duty, the SME Pharma Industries Confederation (SPIC) has now called upon the State organizations representing the pharma SMEs to work together to stop the CDA formation and win other common causes.

In a letter to the individual organisations now under the banner of Confederation of Indian Pharmaceutical Industries (CIPI) and others, the SPIC said it was time to work concertedly to protect the interests of the SSI, be it CDA formation, Schedule M or FDC issue.

Meanwhile, the split in the CIPI has become nearly complete with its executive committee formally barring Punjab Small Drug Manufacturers Association secretary-general Jagadeep Singh from attending the meetings of CIPI or its delegations. CIPI had earlier removed Lalit Kumar Jain from the vice-chairmanship on the ground that he was not president of any association. However, no reason has been cited in the case of Jagadeep Singh. After Kolkota meeting of the CIPI, the split was formalised with the formation of SPIC.

As reply to the CIPI decision, SPIC has now written to all individual organisations explaining the developments leading to the split and wanted a meeting of all interested associations in Delhi at the earliest to chalk out future course of action to make sure the SSI sector win back its lost ground.

"Till a month ago, many of us wondered whether SSI will survive or not. Today nobody can deny the fact that it will. Schedule M relief is pending as we are working on it through Najma Heptullah Committee. Plan to stop CDA Bill is in place, we are a whisker away. Plan to get fee for SSI approvals reduced is also in place,'' the letter said.

"With Paswan's help, the PM was brought into the picture with numerous reports on price rise endorsed by NIPER and inserted in media. This was not easy. Nothing happened on its own. Finally the Government had to bend. credit is due to C&F Ministry, PMO, political parties and select associations who responded when calls were made,'' it said.

Holding that CIPI was hijacked, SPIC said IDMA could not deliver as their interests were akin to the large industry. It also lauded CIPI for winning stay on FDC issue and said it wanted all associations to work united to safeguard the interests of the SSI.

"But remember, we are branded with making Absurd and Banned drugs included in the List. A way out is possible so that SSI name is not tainted. SPIC shall work with the new DCGI on it, safeguarding the interests of the SSI,'' it said.