Parliament passes NIPE&R Amendment Bill

The Parliament has passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021, with passing of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday and on 6th December in the Lok Sabha.The Bill seeks to amend the original act of 1998 to declare six additional National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research as Institutions of National Importance.  These institutes are located in Ahmedabad, Hajipur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati and Raebareli. The Bill also provides for a Council to coordinate the activities among the institutes to ensure development of pharmaceutical education and research. Replying to the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said that the NIPERs are for strengthening and enhancing research in the Pharma sector, in the country. The Minister said, the Government heard and facilitated the vaccine research and manufacturing sectors to fight the pandemic. Highlighting the importance of indigenously manufactured medicines, he said, with the measures taken by Prime Minister Modi led government, the country could administer 85 percent of population with first dose and 52 percent were fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021 together. These Bills seek to replace the two ordinances on the subject promulgated on 14th November this year. The object of the amendments is to cap the tenure of the Directors of the CBI and the Enforcement at five years.  Replying to the discussion, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Bill brings stability in the investigation agencies. He said, certain cases, especially the money laundering incidents have international ramifications. Referring to the urgency behind the Bill, the Minister said, Financial Action Task Force, FATF, suggested law enforcing authorities and the Governments to upgrade their capabilities in regard with standards and confidentiality. He said, since several democratic countries have no fixation period, the Government drew the average of Five years tenure to rise at part with global standards before the next review by the FATF. Dr Jitendra Sing said, the move is necessary for the country to have a corruption free image.