The Goa Foods and Drugs Control Administration (FDA) along with Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association (GPMA) is going to have a meeting with P Mara Pandiyan, chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) to discuss about the proposed plan to set up a Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation's (CDSCO's) zonal-cum-Assistant Drug Controller's (ADC's) office in premises of MPT.


This is the second meeting to be organised for the purpose after the whole process was initiated by the DCGI in September last year. The industry is hopeful that the delayed project may soon resume and finally will be in process after this meeting.


Arun Naik, president, Goa Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association (GPMA) informed that this meeting is very important since it will act as a precedent for the decision that is going to be taken with regard to zonal cum port office at MPT. “We got a call from the chairman of the MPT after we had submitted our proposal and he seemed to be interested in resuming the talk on the MPT. In this meeting we will focus on sorting out the problem and initiating the future course as soon as possible,” Naik said.


Pandiyan, chairman of MPT informed that the meeting will be to discuss on the details and nuances of having the offices in the MPT vicinity. “It will be an important achievement for us if MPT will be notified as a recognised port and we will do whatever possible with in our power to ensure that things are resolved at the latest. We will surely like to discuss and consider the proposal that was presented to us by them.”


One of the interesting developments in this context is that at the meeting GPCA will be insisting on at least having the ADC office at the MPT. “At present our main aim is to establish at least a port office at MPT vicinity since its essential for the exports. As far as zonal office is concerned it can be set up anywhere else in the state and not necessarily in the port itself.”


The initial proposal was to lease out the port property to the central government for setting up both zonal office as well as ADC in the port premises. This proposal was initially accepted by the port authorities, however, the whole project was on hold due to some difference of opinion between the state and the centre.


Naik says that he is sure that this meeting will go smoothly as decided and that they will be able to come into a consensus on the same. Once a decision is taken it will be with the DCGI to initiate the procedure and resume the talks with the MPT on the same.


At present the exporters and importers from Goa spend almost Rs.30,000 on transporting one container of Goan drugs to Nava Sheva port in Mumbai. With the notification of the MPT as a recognised port for export, the exporters will not have to go to the Nava Sheva port in Mumbai. It will not only reduce the cost associated with transport but also will increase the exports from Goa.