Himachal Pradesh Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani on Monday urged the Centre to set up a national-level pharmaceutical education and research institute in the state. He said Himachal's strong pharmaceutical industry should now focus more on innovation and research instead of relying mainly on generic medicines.
Dharmani also responded to the BJP's allegations regarding the Director General of Police (DGP) in the Manav Bharti University fake degree case. He questioned why the issue was not raised earlier if BJP leaders were already aware of the matter.
Dharmani said he recently met Union Health Minister JP Nadda in New Delhi and requested the Centre to approve a premier institute for pharmaceutical education and research in Himachal Pradesh. He said such an institution would greatly benefit the state, especially since pharmacy colleges and technical education fall under his department.
The minister pointed out that Himachal Pradesh is among the country's major pharmaceutical manufacturing centres. However, he stressed that the industry must now move towards research and the development of new medicines.
According to him, generic medicines have played a key role in making healthcare affordable. At the same time, he said future growth depends on creating new drug formulations and investing in scientific research to improve treatment options.
Dharmani said the state government is ready to provide land for the proposed institute, while the final approval rests with the Centre.
Commenting on the Manav Bharti University fake degree scam, he questioned the BJP's claims regarding the DGP and asked why the information was allegedly not made public earlier.
He said if leaders had prior knowledge of a case involving thousands of fake degrees, it should have been disclosed immediately instead of being kept hidden.
The minister accused the BJP of making repeated allegations only to create political controversy without providing solid evidence. He further claimed that the opposition was focusing more on sensational claims than on presenting facts before the public.
Speaking about reforms in the Technical Education Department, Dharmani said the government has redirected resources towards student welfare after finding that funds were being used for unnecessary purchases.
He said clear instructions have now been issued to ensure that money allocated for technical education is spent only on improving student facilities and opportunities.
The minister highlighted a recent overseas exposure programme in which 30 ITI students travelled abroad. He noted that for 29 of them, it was their first experience of flying.
According to Dharmani, such programmes help vocational students gain confidence and exposure, especially since skilled workers often do not receive adequate recognition in society.
He said similar initiatives will continue in the future, with 35 engineering students set to visit Japan. Teachers will also be included in international exposure programmes.
Dharmani said educators need global exposure as well, as better-trained teachers can help prepare students more effectively for future challenges.
On the Cabinet's decision regarding construction in environmentally sensitive green areas, the minister said the government wants to maintain a balance between development and environmental protection.
He said Himachal's natural beauty, forests and mountains are its biggest strengths, and efforts are being made to preserve them while also supporting development.
Dharmani added that panchayats will play a key role in increasing green cover through plantation drives under the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana and by developing urban forests.
Rejecting the BJP's accusation that the Congress government is pursuing vendetta politics, the minister said the administration has no such agenda. He said action is taken only when there are serious violations of law, and such measures should not be viewed as political revenge.
Follow us
