SAS NAGAR, May 19: Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Dr A.K. Patel today promised recognition as an "institute of national importance" to the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER).Talking to mediapersons after taking a round of the institute here, Patel said a Bill in this regard would be introduced in the current session of Parliament. With the approval of the Bill, the institute could take any decision independently for biological coordination and betterment of the institute, he added.Expressing satisfaction over the functioning of the institute, the Minister said the World Bank-funded soft loans worth nearly Rs 16 crore, submitted to the ministry for approval, would soon be sanctioned to the institute for upgrading the biological coordination training programme. After the approval, this amount would be released to NIPER in phases through the Health and Family Welfare Ministry.When his attention was drawn to the economic sanctions slapped by US and Japan over nuclear tests, Patel said, "We are economically self-sufficient and development work of the country will not be allowed to suffer."The Minister said that Chairman-cum-Managing Directors (CMDs) of fertiliser industries in the country will meet in Delhi on May 26 to fix prices.He said a high-powered committee had already submitted a 500-page report seeking amendments in the fertiliser distribution policy. Besides taking up issues like subsidy and production, Patel said, the prevailing import policy will be discussed at the meet.
