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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for pharmaceuticals have driven cumulative investments of Rs 41,943 crore in both brownfield and greenfield projects, the Parliament was informed on Friday.

The investments substantially exceed the targeted committed investment of Rs 17,275 crore over the six-year period of the scheme, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The incentive scheme generated Rs 3,35,036 crore in sales from 1,988 products, the statement from Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said.

The total sales figure includes exports worth Rs 2,15,248 crore, it said, adding that 726 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), Key Starting Materials (KSMs), and Drug Intermediates (DIs) are now being manufactured under the scheme, including 191 produced for the first time in the country.

Sale of these APIs or KSMs or DIs have resulted in cumulative domestic sales worth Rs 28,067 crore, which contributed to import reduction in the sector.

PLI scheme for Pharmaceuticals, approved in 2021, aims to boost India’s manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the pharmaceuticals sector.

The scheme intends to incentivize production of high value medicines, complex generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients, while the PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs, approved in 2020, targets critical KSMs, DIs and APIs to reduce dependence on single sources.

Under the PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs, Rs 4,814 crore has been made in greenfield projects against a commitment of Rs 4,329.95 crore over six years, the statement further said.

Total capacity amounting to 91,077 metric tonnes per annum is committed for 33 products against the originally envisaged capacity of 82,270 metric tonnes per annum for 41 products identified under the scheme, it said.

Under this scheme, six new manufacturing units have been commissioned in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam, an aspirational district.

—IANS

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New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) India has achieved tremendous progress in building AI‑ready public data infrastructure, with many platforms improving access to official statistics and supporting AI deployment across health, weather, agriculture and other public services, according to an official statement on Friday.

e‑Sankhyiki, launched in 2024 as India’s official statistics data platform, currently hosts 21 statistical products with over 136 million records, enabling users to query data directly, connect datasets to analytical systems and automate statistical reporting.

It also enables users to access multiple datasets through a unified interface. This is expected to reduce time spent on data retrieval and improve efficiency in analysis and decision-making, the government said.

Further, National Data and Analytics Platform currently aggregates datasets from multiple government agencies, 52 ministries and 31 sectors. It presents them in a coherent format and provides tools for analytics and visualisation, the official fact-sheet said.

In the health sector, the government has launched the Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health (BODH) in February 2026 to enable systematic evaluation of AI models using diverse and anonymised real-world health datasets.

"The platform assesses AI systems for performance, robustness, bias, and generalizability before large-scale deployment, helping establish benchmarking standards that improve reliability and clinical relevance in line with national public health priorities," the statement said.

It provides an environment where developers can train and evaluate AI systems on diverse datasets, and regulators can undertake structured third-party assessments with stronger statistical confidence.

The government also mentioned meteorological agencies applying AI and machine‑learning tools for short-range global forecasts, precipitation downscaling, fire location prediction and fog forecasting, etc.

Overall, India’s official statistical platforms are increasingly moving toward AI-enabled data access systems that improve how users interact with public datasets, it said.

India’s experience demonstrates how AI can be integrated at scale to strengthen public digital capabilities enhancing practical use in responsive governance and sector-specific decision-making, the statement noted.

—IANS

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Kolkata, March 20 (IANS) In a shocking case, a man died after being trapped in an elevator in the controversial state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday.

The relatives and friends of the deceased person were protesting within the R.G. Kar premises at the time the report was filed. The deceased person had been identified as Arup Bandopadhyay, a resident of Dum Dum in the northern outskirts of Kolkata.

It is learnt that he was trapped in the elevator of the hospital building housing the trauma care centre, and he died in the elevator. “His son is admitted to the trauma care centre of the same hospital. This morning, he was trying to reach the trauma care centre, which is housed on the fifth floor of one of the hospital buildings, and then he got trapped in the elevator,” said one of the aggrieved relatives of the deceased person.

The relatives and friends of the deceased person alleged that there was no elevator operator while the mishap took place. “The deceased person was trapped in the elevator, which got stuck in the midway, for over an hour, and during that period, no hospital staff or elevator operator was available to reactivate the elevator,” the aggrieved relative added.

The hospital authorities have claimed that the complaints in the matter will be addressed, and a thorough investigation into the matter will be carried out.

At the time the report was filed, the hospital authorities had not come forward with any explanation on the possible reasons behind the death. Already, a huge police contingent from the local Tala Police station had arrived at the hospital premises, and the police are trying to persuade the aggrieved relatives and friends of the deceased persons to withdraw from the hospital premises.

To recall, R.G. Kar has been in the national headlines over the ghastly rape and murder of a woman doctor of the hospital within the premises on the morning of August 2024.

Later, an investigation also started over the massive financial irregularities at the hospital, and there is a large-scale perception that the tragedy with the victim was because she became aware of those financial irregularities.

The erstwhile controversial principal of R.G. Kar, accused of being the mastermind of the financial irregularities, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and is still behind bars.

--IANS

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Gwalior, March 19 (IANS) Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia's wife Priyadarshini Raje Scindia, on Thursday, visited the large-scale free health camp, including for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines, to girls for prevention of cervical cancer, organised in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district.

During the visit, Priyadarshini Raje Scindia inspected the registration process at the reception and urged the organisers and medical staff to ensure that every patient receives timely medical attention without any inconvenience.

She interacted with medical staff and patients, especially women, to know their response and information regarding the various medical services available at the camp.

Shivpuri is the family bastion of the Scindia family and the part of Guna Lok Sabha constituency, which is currently being represented by Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Meanwhile, Priyadarshini Raje Scindia also honoured the doctors for their services at the camp and expressed her appreciation for their dedication.

Addressing the gathering, she remarked that such camps not only extend healthcare services to the common people but also reinforce the spirit of service and empathy within society.

She also inspected other facilities available at the camp, specifically checking the quality of the food being served to the doctors, staff, patients, and their attendants.

She personally tasted the food to ensure its quality.

Union Minister Scindia also distributed food to the patients and urged the concerned officials to ensure that there were no shortcomings whatsoever in the services provided.

Priyadarshini Raje Scindia also requested the volunteers to maintain cleanliness and hygiene within the camp to ensure that patients face no difficulties.

She had inaugurated the HPV vaccination facility at Gwalior district hospital on Wednesday and interacted with patients to understand their concerns and encouraged young girls to get vaccinated, thereby ensuring that this initiative moves forward effectively in the dual directions of both health security and awareness.

The Madhya Pradesh government claimed that the state has stood first in the country in administering the highest number of HPV vaccines to girls for prevention of cervical cancer.

The vaccination for more than one lakh 14-year-old girls was done after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide campaign from Rajasthan's Ajmer on February 28.

--IANS

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Dumka (Jharkhand), March 19 (IANS) People in Jharkhand's Dumka district are purchasing medicines at affordable rates from a pharmacy centre operating under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, bringing significant relief to poor and underprivileged patients.

Beneficiaries buying medicines under the scheme expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making essential drugs available at much lower prices.

The Narendra Modi-led Union government launched the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana to ensure that quality medicines are accessible to economically weaker sections at affordable rates.

The initiative has proved to be a major relief for the poor, with medicines available at Jan Aushadhi centres often priced at less than half of what they cost in the open market.

The effectiveness of these medicines has also strengthened public confidence in the scheme.

Many people visiting the centre say the initiative is particularly beneficial for low-income families as it helps them save money while ensuring access to quality treatment.

Earlier, the high cost of medicines often made treatment difficult for many patients, as buying expensive drugs from private medical stores was not feasible.

With the opening of Jan Aushadhi centres in Dumka, affordable medicines have now become easily accessible.

Rajesh, who visited the centre to purchase medicines for his son, told IANS that earlier he had to spend a large amount on medicines from private pharmacies.

“Now the same medicines are available at less than half the earlier price at the Jan Aushadhi centre,” he said.

He added that the medicines are proving effective as well.

“This scheme launched by Prime Minister Modi is very helpful for poor people. Earlier, many could not buy medicines due to financial constraints, but now they can afford them," Rajesh said.

Another beneficiary, Vishwajeet, said medicines at the centre are much cheaper than those sold in the market.

“Earlier we had to spend a lot at private medical stores, but now medicines are available at lower prices. This scheme is very beneficial for the poor,” he said.

Sharmila Kumari, who runs the Jan Aushadhi centre, said the scheme has benefited a large number of people in the area.

"In my opinion, the scheme has been very successful. Medicines that cost thousands of rupees in the market are available here for around Rs 200,” she added.

She said that many people visit the centre daily to buy medicines and the number is increasing as awareness about the central scheme grows.

--IANS

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Jaipur, March 19 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are developing next‑generation flexible semiconductor devices designed for continuous health monitoring, early disease detection and physiological assessment in demanding environments.

The work is being carried out at the HESTECH (Hybrid Electronic Sensor Technologies) Lab, led by Dr Akshay Moudgil, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. The research focuses on soft, flexible and intelligent semiconductor devices capable of monitoring key physiological and biochemical signals from the human body in real time.

These wearable sensors are designed to track parameters such as heart rate, muscle activity, body temperature and skin pressure, while remaining comfortable for prolonged use.

According to Dr Moudgil, the motivation for this work is to address a critical gap in accessible, continuous health monitoring. He said that many health conditions in India and globally are detected too late because continuous monitoring remains limited outside specialised settings.

The goal is to develop semiconductor devices that can continuously monitor body signals comfortably, enabling early detection and timely intervention.

A key component of this research is the Organic Electrochemical Transistor (OECT), a class of semiconductor devices suited for interfacing with biological signals and fluids. Unlike conventional rigid electronics, OECT‑based platforms enable both electrical and biochemical sensing in flexible formats.

The HESTECH Lab is developing low‑power wearable sensors using biocompatible hybrid semiconductor materials that can be fabricated on thin, flexible substrates. This makes them ideal for skin‑conformal devices that enable continuous, non‑invasive monitoring.

Dr Moudgil explained that the team is exploring whether a single semiconductor platform can capture both the electrical activity of the body and biochemical signatures linked to disease.

Using OECT technology, they are building compact, flexible devices to monitor heart activity, muscle response and disease‑related biomarkers.

One major application area is early disease screening. The team is developing biochemical sensors capable of detecting clinically relevant biomarkers in biofluids such as saliva, serum and blood.

In the future, such portable systems could support point‑of‑care diagnostics in dental clinics, rural health camps and mobile healthcare units.

In parallel, the lab is working on wearable sensors for physical health monitoring, including soft ECG patches for cardiac assessment, EMG sensors for muscle activity tracking and pressure and temperature sensors to detect early signs of pressure ulcers in at‑risk patients.

The technology also holds significant promise for defence and extreme‑environment applications. Flexible semiconductor sensors could be integrated into uniforms or wearable patches to monitor physiological stress indicators, such as cardiac load, dehydration, fatigue, heat stress, and muscle strain, during training or field operations.

Dr Moudgil noted that in defence environments, such devices could enable real‑time physiological monitoring of personnel, supporting better decision‑making, reducing stress‑related injuries and enhancing mission readiness.

He added that IIT Jodhpur aims to ensure that innovation translates into real‑world impact, and semiconductor‑based wearable technologies could create a future where health monitoring is continuous, comfortable and intelligent.

With continued research and translational development, this technology has the potential to significantly improve access to diagnostics, enable preventive healthcare and deliver advanced monitoring solutions for both civilian and defence applications.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday said that India’s bioeconomy has expanded significantly to over $195 billion in 2025, from around $10 billion in 2014.

Addressing the 14th Foundation Day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) here, the minister said the sector has witnessed strong growth, registering an annual expansion of around 17-18 per cent in the past year alone.

He noted that biotechnology is emerging as a key pillar of India’s growth story, contributing to advancements in healthcare, agriculture, climate solutions, and sustainable manufacturing.

Dr Singh said India is steadily moving towards its target of a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030, supported by a growing base of scientists, startups and entrepreneurs.

Highlighting the role of BIRAC, he said the organisation has been instrumental in bridging the gap between research and industry, helping translate innovations into market-ready solutions.

Referring to policy initiatives, the minister spoke about the BioE3 Policy aimed at strengthening bio-based industries and promoting sustainable biomanufacturing. He said the policy will support innovation in areas such as biotherapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture and bio-based chemicals.

Dr Singh also highlighted the government’s Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund with an outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore, under which the BIRAC will play a key role in supporting biotechnology ventures and scaling up innovations.

During the event, the India Bioeconomy Report 2026 and the BIRAC Impact Report were released, which showed that the sector has more than doubled since 2020 and now contributes around 4.8 per cent to the country’s GDP.

The report also highlighted that India has over 11,800 biotech startups, reflecting the rapid growth of the innovation ecosystem, the government said.

The minister also emphasised the need to nurture young talent, particularly from smaller cities, and called for greater collaboration between industry, academia and policymakers to drive innovation and economic growth.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) As Pakistan faces a deepening poverty crisis as per the latest government data, the country is actually facing “institutional poverty” — the absence of strong, predictable and resilient institutions that protect incomes, enable opportunity and absorb shocks, a new report has said.

The Planning Commission of Pakistan revealed that monetary poverty has risen from 21.9 percent in 2018–19 to 28.9 percent in 2024–25, but the country is not only facing monetary poverty but also 'institutional poverty', said the report from Business Recorder.

The rural poverty exceeded 36 per cent and urban poverty crossed 17 per cent, with the national Gini index increasing from 28.4 to 32.7, amid sharper deterioration in some provinces, notably Sindh.

The Planning Commission of Pakistan found nominal incomes rising but real incomes falling because inflation outpaced earnings. Inequality widened across provinces and vulnerability to macro instability and climate shocks, according to the data. It indicated more than cyclical outcomes, but weak transmission mechanisms between policy and welfare, the report noted.

Institutional poverty manifests in policy volatility, weak labour formalisation, fragile local governance, the absence of automatic stabilisers in social protection, and planning without accountability.

"Most workers remain informal, without contracts, insurance, or productivity pathways. District-level institutions, where service delivery happens, remain administratively weak and fiscally dependent," the report said.

The report called for energy tariff reforms to include predefined compensatory mechanisms for the bottom income quintiles and agricultural shock insurance to be institutionalised rather than donor dependent.

“Five-Year Plans should be replaced, or at least complemented, by rolling resilience frameworks that integrate macro stability, labour markets, climate adaptation, and inequality monitoring,” the report noted.

A recent report said Pakistan has locked itself into a "dangerous economic trap" by prioritising short‑term expatriate remittances and foreign aid over productive development.

Remittances now account for nearly 10 per cent of GDP and rival export earnings, masking failures of the system such as idle factories, high unemployment and underutilisation of productive workforce, it noted.

—IANS

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Dhuri, March 18 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday dedicated a 50-bed Sub-Divisional Hospital, along with a 30-bed Maternal and Child Health Block, at Dhuri, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the public healthcare system and giving a major boost to healthcare infrastructure in Sangrur district.

Addressing the gathering, CM Mann stated, “This project reflects our firm commitment to building a strong, accessible, and patient-centric healthcare system by strengthening infrastructure, expanding medical services, and improving the availability of skilled healthcare professionals. ​

“The new facilities will cater not only to the residents of Dhuri city but also to people from nearly 70 surrounding villages, benefiting thousands of residents by bringing modern healthcare closer to their homes.” ​

He added, “Constructed for Rs 21.65 crore, the hospital complex features a state-of-the-art building spread across approximately 73,000 square feet and will prove to be a boon for the region. It will significantly strengthen secondary-level healthcare services by providing comprehensive outpatient and inpatient care, emergency services, diagnostic facilities, and specialised consultations.”

​Highlighting the dual-facility structure, the Chief Minister said, “The 50-bedded Sub-Divisional Hospital has been developed to provide comprehensive secondary-level healthcare services, while the 30-bedded Maternal and Child Health Block will significantly strengthen maternal, neonatal and child healthcare services, ensuring better care for mothers and newborns in the region.” ​

Tracing the hospital’s journey, CM Mann said, “Originally established in 1978 with a capacity of 30 beds and later upgraded to 50 beds, this hospital has now evolved into a modern healthcare facility with a total capacity of 80 beds, reflecting our government’s continuous efforts to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure.” ​

Detailing the infrastructure, he said, “The new facility includes 13 OPD rooms, a well-equipped emergency block, two registration counters, and seven operating theatres for both major and minor surgeries. It houses modern diagnostic facilities such as ECG, ultrasound, and X-ray rooms, along with three laboratories to ensure timely and accurate medical testing.” ​

He further added, “The hospital has 12 private rooms, six general wards, a fully functional drug store, an SMO office, 11 nurse stations, and two lifts, all designed to improve patient care and operational efficiency. The upgraded infrastructure will enable doctors to handle emergency cases, accident victims, and critically ill patients with greater efficiency.”

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, March 17 (IANS) A significant expansion of Gujarat’s public health system, including higher financial support for mothers, wider insurance coverage, and plans for large-scale medical infrastructure, was outlined as the state Assembly approved Rs 25,403.23 crore for the Health and Family Welfare Department for 2026-27.​

Presenting the budgetary demands in the Assembly on Tuesday, Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the allocation marked an 8.63 per cent increase over the previous year, with an additional Rs 2,017 crore aimed at extending quality healthcare to remote areas.​

“With a firm commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to even the remotest areas of the state, the health budget has been increased significantly this year,” he said.​

The minister said the government, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, was focused on ensuring access to healthcare for every citizen.​

He highlighted that 9,231 sub-health centres, 1,539 primary health centres, and 353 community health centres are currently operational across the state.​

Efforts to strengthen diagnostic services include expanding free laboratory tests under the 'Mukhyamantri Nidan Yojana' from 71 to 134.​

In addition, 132 mobile healthcare units are functioning in underserved regions to improve last-mile access.​

A provision of Rs 5,733.01 crore has been made for the Family Welfare wing.​

As part of maternal health initiatives, Rs 15.62 crore has been allocated to procure 250 new ‘Khilkhilat’ vans.​

Under the 'Namo Shree Yojana', pregnant and lactating women will receive financial assistance of Rs 12,000, with 3.95 lakh beneficiaries expected this year.​

The state’s 108 ambulance service, which provides free emergency care to around 5,000 patients daily, will be strengthened by replacing 71 ambulances.​

Under the PMJAY-MA scheme, the annual cashless treatment limit per family has been raised to Rs 10 lakh, covering approximately 2,300 medical procedures.​

The scheme currently covers around 2.73 crore citizens, with a total allocation of Rs 3,471.78 crore.​

The minister said Rs 9,877.16 crore has been allocated for medical education. The number of medical colleges in Gujarat has increased from 41 to 43, while MBBS seats have reached 7,525.​

Plans have been announced to establish large ‘Medicity’ projects in Ahmedabad (Vasai) and Surat (Kamrej), each featuring a 1,500-bed broad speciality hospital with advanced cardiac, kidney, and cancer care facilities.​

"These projects would contribute to the growth of medical tourism and provide high-end treatment infrastructure within the state," he said.​

He also announced the expansion of IVF services to government hospitals in Surat, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar.​

New Special Newborn Care Units will be set up to reduce neonatal mortality, while a rehabilitation centre for neuro, orthopaedic, and sports injuries is planned in Ahmedabad.​

For critical care services, new radiotherapy centres will be established in Porbandar, Himmatnagar, Valsad, and Godhra.​

Satellite centres are also planned to improve access to treatment for cancer and kidney patients closer to their homes.​

In Rajkot, the existing P.D.U. Hospital building will be replaced with a new 12-storey, 1,000-bed facility at an estimated cost of Rs 360 crore.​

The minister said financial support under the 'Nikshay Poshan Yojana' for tuberculosis patients has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per month as part of efforts to eliminate the disease.​

Additional provisions include new district Ayurvedic offices in Vav-Tharad, Botad, and Porbandar, and Rs 10.17 crore for upgrading dialysis infrastructure by replacing old machines in 282 centres and installing 113 new units.​

The Assembly subsequently passed the full budgetary demands of Rs 25,403.23 crore for the department for the financial year 2026-27.​

--IANS

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