294 pharma firms avail of tech upgradation subsidy

Companies have utilised about 20 cr for the purpose

The Government today said as many as 294 micro and small pharmaceuticals companies have availed of a subsidy of nearly Rs 19.76 crore for technology upgradation under the credit linked capital subsidy scheme (CLCSS).

"Under this scheme 294 drugs and pharmaceuticals micro and small enterprises have availed subsidy of about Rs 19.76 crore since inception of the CLCSS up to March, 2012," Minister of State for Chemical and Fertilisers Srikant Kumar Jena said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He said said the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is implementing the CLCSS to provide incentives to micro and small enterprises including drug and pharmaceuticals for technology upgradation.

"Under this scheme 15% capital subsidy is provided up to a loan of Rs 1 crore as per the guidelines of the scheme," Jena said.

The policy is being implemented for 48 sub-sectors including the drugs and pharmaceuticals sub-sector, he added.

In reply to a question, the Minister said upgradation helps companies to improve their quality standards though it may not necessarily bring down the prices.