Even as the Cabinet has approved Rs.633 crore for the new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs), issues like ensuring sufficient land in many places continue to cause hurdles to make them autonomous full-fledged institutions.


“Government of Gujarat has already allotted land at Gandhinagar and executed lease deed in favour of NIPER. At Guwahati, the State Government has allotted 100 acres of land. However, the land is yet to be demarcated. Approach road to the site provided and lease deed to be executed. This is being pursued with the Government of Assam,” sources said.


At Kolkata, the land allotted is inadequate and also under development by the State Government Agency. State Government has since been requested for allotment of at least 50 acres of land on priority so as to commence construction of new NIPER campus. Similarly, State Government of Bihar has been requested to allot 50 acres of land at Hajipur on priority basis so as to plan and commence construction of NIPER Campus. The matter is being discussed further with State Government officials, according to sources.


“The issue of allotment of land by UP Government for NIPER, Rae Bareli has been taken up again with the State Government. In case of Andhra Pradesh, it is proposed to discuss the matter with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh for allotment of land for NIPER at any place in Hyderabad, other than IDPL land,” sources added.


Recently the Union Cabinet approved Rs.633.15 crore for the six NIPERs -- at Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Hajipur, Guwahati and Rae Bareli. The Cabinet hoped that the amount would facilitate the establishment of full -fledged NIPER Campuses at these places for imparting higher PG level education as well as undertake R&D projects.


In August 2007, the Union Cabinet accorded in-principle approval to the setting up of new NIPERs and commencement of courses with the help of mentor institutes. Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) at its meeting held on 20.1.2011 has since appraised the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs.submitted by the consultant and approved the setting up of New NIPERs in phase-I. As per the DPR, the estimated capital cost was Rs.633.15 crore and recurring cost of Rs.116.52 crore (net of receipt).