Cut in drug prices top on Ananth Kumar's agenda

The NDA government plans to enforce a 25-40% cut in prices of essential drugs. Besides, in line with its pro-poor focus, its fertiliser policy would be based on increased availability, self reliance and setting up of new units at a fast pace, Ananth Kumar, Union minister of fertilizers and chemicals said.

"I will talk to the multinationals as well in this regard and would try to bring down prices of essential drugs for poor by 25-40%," he told media persons after assuming office today.

The Karnataka strong man of the BJP who defeated Congress' Nandan Nilekani from Bangalore South constituency to become a Lok Sabha member, has been ministers of civil aviation and urban development in the previous NDA government under Atal Behari Vajpayee. "My immediate priority would be to ensure enough supply of fertilizers for the farmers during kharif season. We will also take steps to revive a lot of fertilizer units that are shut down, there will be a complete revival. Moreover, we are coming up with new urea plant in Assam and Rajasthan."

Fresh impetus to the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) policy would also be on the minister's agenda. He said new PCPIR hubs would be set up under his regime. PCPIR is a flagship scheme of the department of chemicals and petrochemical to develop projects to ensure raw material availability of the petrochemical and plastic industry.

PCPIR zones are developed by the Central government in collaboration with the respective state governments and private players. When asked about the pricing in the sector, the minister said, a proper decision will be taken soon including the prices of urea.