Monday 13 August 2012

Lok sabha concerned about government funding for failed NIPER Projects 2007-12


LOK SABHA
————
List of Questions for WRITTEN ANSWERS
Thursday, August 16, 2012/Sravana 25, 1934 (Saka)


Sanctioned/Disbursed Government Funding for NIPER Projects

1126. SHRI UDAY SINGH: Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of funds sanctioned/ disbursed project-wise along with the project objectives to National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER);

(b) whether the Government makes periodical assessment, project-wise regarding continuity of the viability of these projects;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) if not, the reasons therefor?



Most of the researchers were not aware of final approved objectives/budget of their research projects under the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) , because the NIPER Directors (past and officiating) during this period,  had not provided them with a copy of the final approved 11th Five Year Plan document. This document contained details of the approved objectives and the budget approved for specific research activities.

In several projects, money had either not been released at all (100% misappropriation) or  just 40-50% of the amount received from Ministry was released to the researchers while balance was misappropriated. 

Details of some research and infrastructure projects where heavy misappropriation took place, are given below (Date Presented here are collected form individual Pi and mid term report and analysed )



Scheme Number


Name


Outlay/ Misappropriation
C-05
Pharma Parasitology/
Virology/
Infection Lab
Rs.9.13 crores; >50% misappr.
Less funds released.
C-07
Pharma Grid
Rs. 11.06 crores; > 60% misappr.
Person who proposed the  project not informed of final approved project, nor given any funds during initial 3 years.

C-11
Nano Technology and Drug Delivery System
Rs.5.25 crores; >40% misappr.
Serious shortcomings listed in the final report by Dr.Neeraj Kumar.

C-12
Establishment of Business Development Group at NIPER
Rs.1.75 crores; >75% misapp.
No such group established. No final presentation of output under the project made. Project not included in final list of presentations.

C-13
Reference Standard Development
Rs.2.00 crores; >90% misappr.
Though Rs.2 crore was taken from the Govt. for making reference standards, not a single reference standard available for industry after project completion.

C-15
Impurity profiling and stability testing facility
 Rs.1.02 crores;>90% misappr.
No such facility established. No work done, as per mid-term review dated 24/4/2010.



Scheme Number
Name
Outlay/ Misappropriation
N-05
New Auditorium
Rs.5.50 crores; 100% misapp. No such auditorium constructed. However, expense of Rs.4.22 crores shown in mid-term review report, which is surprising.

N-10
Earth filling and Landscaping
Rs.1.28 crores; >50% misapp.
No work done, as per mid-term review report dated 24/4/2010.

N-11
Furniture and Air-conditioning
Rs.4.00 crores; >90% misapp. As per information available, furniture and AC was for new auditorium, which has not been constructed. However expense of Rs.1.81 crores has been shown in mid-term review report dated 24/4/2010.

N-14
New Specialization   in Pharmaceutical Management
Rs.1.60 crores;  >90% misapp.
No such specialization introduced. 2 new courses introduced in 2010 using existing staff only. Rs.10 lacs released to management department  in 2012 (5th Year).

N-15
Research in Pharmacovigilance and Pharmaco-economics
Rs.2.50 crores; >75% misapprop.

Project not included in final list of presentations.

N-17
Setting up of Department of Intellectual Property Rights at NIPER
Rs.2.25 crores;  >90% misapp.
No department established at all. Though about Rs.1.5 crores was for hiring and training of manpower, NOT A SINGLE technical person hired. Entire amount misappropriated. Serious shortcoming listed in final report by Project Leader, Dr.Parikshit Bansal

N-19
Cerebral Ischemia/MRI
Rs.5.00 crores;  100% misappr.
No work done at all, as per mid-term review dated 24/4/2010. Project not included in final list of presentations.


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