Lease out Chengalpet vaccine complex to get it working, TN govt urges Centre

Lease out Chengalpet vaccine complex to get it working, TN govt urges Centre

CM Writes To PM; Centre Receptive, Says Minister

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

28.05.2021

Tamil Nadu on Thursday urged the Centre to offer the Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC) at Chengalpet, established by HLL Biotech, on lease to the state. Chief minister M K Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought his intervention and said the state would seek out a private partner to produce vaccines against Covid-19.

Industries minister Thangam Thennarasu, who flew to New Delhi and handed over the chief minister’s letter to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), later called on Union minister for industries, railways and commerce Piyush Goyal to discuss the proposal in detail. A meeting with Union minister for health and family welfare Harsh Vardhan could not happen as the latter was preoccupied with World Health Organisation (WHO) interactions. The minister later said the Centre was receptive to the state government’s proposal.

In his letter, Stalin drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the fact that the high capacity vaccine manufacturing facility, in which the Centre invested ₹700 crore, was lying unused for a long time for want of further funds. “The recent attempt to find a private partner to run the IVC has also not borne fruit as there were no bidders,” Stalin said.

“I am very keen that this modern facility must be made functional immediately, in the interest of our state and our nation. This would substantially enhance the nation’s vaccine production capacity and cater to the vaccine requirements of the country as a whole and Tamil Nadu in particular,” he said.

The state suggested that the Centre hand over the assets of the IVC on lease, without any past liabilities and with full operational freedom. It said it would identify a suitable private partner and would make all efforts to commence vaccine production at the earliest. “A suitable financial arrangement for the Union government to recover a part of its investment can be subsequently worked out, after the commencement of operations,” Stalin said.

Later, Thangam Thennarasu told TOI that the Centre said it would look at all possible options and get back. “Tamil Nadu has moved the proposal at a strategic point, given the present scenario. Our chief minister is very keen to revive the facility at the earliest, as he feels such a large modern facility should not be lying idle,” he said. “They have not given up yet on the facility and said they will continue to look at ways to revive it, including the suggestion from us.”

The IVC has around ₹300 crore in liabilities and that has prevented any revival attempts from succeeding. “The private players are not willing to join hands with the present tender conditions. Hence, we are requesting it on nominal lease, without the liabilities. We can simplify the conditions, talk to them and identify an operator,” a senior state government official said.

BEATING THE PURPOSE:

People in the 18-44 years age category formed long, crowded queues at UPHCs in Madurai to get vaccinated on Thursday

I am very keen that this modern facility must be made functional immediately, in the interest of our state and our nation. This would substantially enhance the nation’s vaccine production capacity and cater to the vaccine requirements of the country as a whole and Tamil Nadu in particular

M K STLAIN TN chief minister in his letter to PM