Miscellaneous Schemes/ Initiatives under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers

Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks

• Aim: To establish 3 mega Bulk Drug Parks in India, in partnership with States.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Approved States: Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh.
• Facilities: Each park will have Common Infrastructure Facilities (CIF) like effluent treatment plants, steam & power units, warehouses, etc. – reducing cost and boosting efficiency.
• Tenure: FY 2020–21 to FY 2024–25.
• Financial Assistance:
  • 70% of project cost for Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
  • 90% for Himachal Pradesh.
  • Maximum ₹1000 crore per park.

👉 Significance: Creates a robust ecosystem for bulk drug (API) manufacturing, reducing import dependence (especially on China).

Promotion of Medical Device Parks

• Aim: To create world-class common infrastructure facilities for medical device manufacturing.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Approved States: Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh.
• Facilities: Common testing labs, R&D centers, logistics hubs – promoting economies of scale.
• Tenure: FY 2020–21 to FY 2024–25.
• Financial Assistance:
  • 70% of project cost in UP, TN, MP.
  • 90% in Himachal Pradesh.
  • Maximum ₹100 crore per park.

👉 Significance: Reduces reliance on imported medical devices and makes India a hub for affordable, quality equipment.

Urea Subsidy

• Aim: To ensure timely and affordable supply of urea fertilizers to farmers.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Features:
  • Farmers get subsidized urea at a statutorily notified Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
  • Subsidy also covers freight cost of moving urea across the country.
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Subsidy is released only when sale is registered on the e-Urvarak DBT portal.
  • Authentication: Aadhaar or Kisan Credit Card (KCC) is mandatory.

👉 Significance: Keeps fertilizer affordable for farmers but also contributes to high subsidy burden.

PM-PRANAM (2023–24 Budget)

• Full form: PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness Generation, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth.
• Problem addressed: Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• Objective: Incentivize States/UTs to encourage alternative fertilizers and balanced chemical fertilizer use.
• Tenure: FY 2023–24 to 2025–26 (3 years).
• Incentive:
  • If a State reduces chemical fertilizer use (urea, DAP, NPK, MOP) compared to average of previous 3 years, then 50% of subsidy saved will be given back as a grant.

👉 Significance: Promotes sustainable agriculture, reduces soil degradation, and encourages bio-fertilizers.

New Schemes of Petrochemicals (NPS)

• Key Initiatives:
  1. Setting up dedicated Plastic Parks in the petrochemical sector.
  2. Establishing Centres of Excellence (CoE) in Polymer Technology.
  3. Subsumes Chemical Promotion and Development Scheme (CPDS) from FY 2023–24.
• Aim: To spread awareness and promote the chemical and petrochemical industry.

👉 Significance: Strengthens India’s position in petrochemicals, supports “Make in India” in plastics and polymers.

Pharma Jan Samadhan

• Type: Web-enabled grievance redressal system.
• Purpose: To resolve consumer complaints related to pricing and availability of medicines.
• Also ensures: Implementation of Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013.

👉 Significance: Protects patients’ rights and ensures medicines remain within affordable price limits.

‘Pharma Sahi Daam’ Mobile App

• A mobile application developed by NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority).
• Function: Displays MRPs fixed by NPPA for various scheduled drugs in real-time.
• Helps consumers: Compare medicine prices and avoid overcharging.

👉 Significance: Promotes price transparency in the pharma sector.