Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers

About Ministry

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers in India is the administrative unit of three departments namely:-

• Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
  • • The Department, under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is entrusted with the responsibility of planning, development and regulations of the chemicals, petrochemicals and pharmaceutical industry sector, inducting – Drugs and pharmaceuticals, excluding those specifically allotted to other departments, Insecticides, Molasses, Alcohol – Industrial and Potable from the molasses route, Dye stuffs and dye intermediates, All organic and inorganic chemicals not specifically allotted to any other ministry or department, Petrochemicals, Industries relating to production of non-cellulosic synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyester, and acrylic, Synthetic rubber etc.

• Department of Fertilisers
  • • The main objective of Department of Fertilisers is to ensure adequate and timely availability of fertilisers at affordable prices for maximizing agricultural production in the country. The main functions of the Department include planning, promotion and development of the fertilisers industry, planning and monitoring of production, import and distribution of fertilisers and management of financial assistance by way of subsidy / concession for indigenous and imported fertilisers.

• Department of Pharmaceuticals
  • • the objective of Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is to give greater focus and thrust on the development of pharmaceutical sector in the country and to regulate various complex issues related to pricing and availability of medicines at affordable prices, research & development, protection of intellectual property rights and international commitments related to pharmaceutical sector which required integration of work with other Ministries.

DEPARTMENT OF FERTILISERS

 

NUTRIENT BASED SUBSIDY SCHEME 

Objectives

• • To ensure balanced use of fertilisers, improve agriculture productivity, promote growth of indigenous fertiliser industry, encourage competition among fertiliser companies and to reduce the burden of subsidy.

Salient Features

• • Under the NBS Policy, a fixed amount of subsidy decided on annual basis is provided on each grade of the subsidized Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilisers depending upon its nutrient content.
  • Minimum Retail Price (MRP) of P&K fertilisers has been left open and the manufacturers/importers/ marketers are allowed to fix MRP of P&K fertilisers at reasonable level.
  • MRP will be decided taking into account the international and domestic prices of P&K fertilisers, exchange rate, and inventory level in the country.
  • 22 grades of P&K fertilisers namely DAP, MAP, TSP, MOP, Ammonium Sulphate, SSP and 16 grades of NPKS (Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K) and Sulphur (S)) complex fertilisers are covered under the NBS Policy.

 

CITY COMPOST SCHEME

Objectives

• • To support Swachh Bharat Mission and provide City Compost at subsidized rates to farmers.

Salient Features

• • Under the scheme, a market development assistance of Rs. 1500 per tonne of city compost for scaling up production and consumption of the product, is being provided.
  • Promotion of city compost will be done by fertiliser companies and marketing entities. Companies will also adopt villages for promoting the use of compost.
  • An appropriate BIS standard/ Eco-Mark will be developed to ensure better market acceptance.

 

DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

 

PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA JANAUSHADI PARIYOJANA (PMBJP)

Objectives

• • Making quality medicines available at affordable prices for all, particularly the poor and disadvantaged, through exclusive outlets “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras”, so as to reduce out of pocket expenses in healthcare.

Implementing Agency

• • Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI)

Funding

• • Government of India is providing full financial support to BPPI during the initial years
  • However, eventually, Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana is envisaged as a self-sustaining business model not dependent on government subsidies or assistance.
  • It is run on the principle of ‘Not for Profits but with Minimal Profits’.
  • Operational expenditure will be met from trade margins admissible for the medicines.

Salient Features

• • It was earlier known as Jan Aushadi Pariyojana and has been recently renamed as PMBJP.
  • Medicines will be made available through outlets known as “Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Kendra”. Less priced, but good quality, unbranded generic medicines will be made available through Jan Aushadhi stores (which are of same and equivalent quality, efficacy and safety as compared to branded generic medicines)
  • To provide generic drugs which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
  • Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with only high price
  • State Governments or any organization / reputed NGOs / Trusts / Private hospitals / charitable institutions / Doctors / Unemployed pharmacist/ individual entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for new Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
  • An amount of Rs.2.5 lakhs shall be extended to NGOs/agencies/ individuals establishing JAK in government hospital premises where space is provided free of cost by Govt. to operating agency.

 

SUVIDHA

Objectives

• • To ensure achievement of government’s vision of Affordable and Quality Healthcare for All (under PMBJP).

Salient Features

• • The affordable sanitary napkin will be available for Rs. 2.50 per pad at Janaushadhi Kendras across India and would ensure ‘Swachhta, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged Women of India.
  • It has been manufactured by Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertaking of India.
  • The Sanitary Pad is 100% Oxo biodegradable as a special additive has been added which makes it biodegradable when reacted with Oxygen after use.
  • It will go a long way in the achievement of vision of Affordable and Quality Healthcare for All.
  • It will make the basic requirement of hygiene aids affordable for women of the underprivileged sections.

 

PHARMA JAN SAMADHAN INITIATIVE

• • Created by – National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Objectives

• • A Web enabled system for redressal of consumers’ grievances relating to pricing and availability of medicines.

Salient Features

• • Benefits – It would serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of consumers’ interests through effective implementation of the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 2013.
  • NPPA will initiate action on any complaint within 48 hrs of its receipt.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS & PETROCHEMICALS

 

PLASTIC PARKS SCHEME

Objectives

• • To increase competitiveness and investments, achieve environmentally sustainable growth and adopt the cluster development approach to consolidate the capacities in plastic sector.

Salient Features

• • It was envisaged in the National Plastic Park Policy in 2010 which was modified in 2013.
  • The scheme support setting up of a need based “Plastic Parks’ an eco-system with requisite state of the art infrastructure and enabling common facilities to assist the sector move up the value chain and contribute to the economy more effectively.
  • Funding Pattern: The centre will provide 50% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs. 40 crore per project and rest will be contributed by the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by State Government or State Industrial Development Corporation.

 

CHEMICALS PROMOTION DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (CPDS)

Objective

• • promotion, and development of chemical and petrochemical sector by extending financial support for conduct of seminars, conferences, exhibitions, conducting studies/ consultancies, for facilitating growth, as well as analyzing critical issues affecting the sector.

Salient Features

• • It have three Components –
    • Creation of Knowledge Products – includes conducting studies, preparation of survey reports, learning modules etc.
    • Knowledge Dissemination – Includes organisation of seminars, conferences, conventions, training etc. on issues/subjects relevant to the development of Chemicals and Petrochemicals sector.
    • Excellence Award – National Awards will be given to recognize excellence in research and innovation in the field.

 

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