Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, during his whirlwind tour in the city on Sunday, unveiled the foundation stone plaque for Vasavi Pharma Market Complex to be constructed at Gollapudi on the National Highway (NH)-9. The programme, however, was organised at Subham Kalyana Mandapam at Ramavarappadu to facilitate the Chief Minister's programme, said organisers.
On the occasion, Mr. Rosaiah said that the State ranks first in the manufacture of bulk drugs and third in the formulations in the country. The State was contributing 40 per cent of total exports from the country. Many pharma companies from the State migrated to union territories attracted by the incentives announced by the Central government. They, however, wish to return Andhra Pradesh in view of conditions prevailing there, he said. The pharma industry in the State was growing on a positive note.
Vijayawada being a transit point was next to only to Hyderabad in pharma business. The businessmen here were also kind and generous. They extend all possible help like distribution of medicines to people in distress and when natural calamities struck the State, he said.
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“I believe that none of the businessmen here indulge in sale of spurious drugs. The pharma market society members should, however, keep a tab on spurious drug sellers so that it will not bring disgrace to them,” he cautioned. Urging the society to complete the construction at the earliest, Mr. Rosaiah said: “I wish to come again once it was completed.”
District incharge Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, Animal Husbandry Minister K. Parthasarathy, Pedana MLA Joji Ramesh, Vijayawada (Central) MLA Malladi Vishnu, Krishna district Collector Peeyush Kumar, Society Chairman V. Sambasiva Rao, secretary D. Nageswara Rao and others were present.
Earlier, the organisers explained the gathering that that the Vasavi Pharma Market Complex would be the biggest and the first of its kind in the State. In all 650 shops, all air conditioned, would be available for pharma business in a five-storey building. The pharma market with a project cost of Rs. 50 crores would have two cargo lifts having the capacity to lift a 1.5-tonne goods autorickshaw to the fifth floor. This apart, the society would run AC and non-AC canteens, and construct temples and hospital for the convenience of members and employees, they said.
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Traditional welcome
Mr. Rosaiah arrived at the venue on the dot, and the programme lasted for just a few minutes. The members attired in identical ‘kurta-pyjama' received the Chief Minister in a traditional way and the programme started with prayer to Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari.