Handing over HLL Biotech Limited Unit to Tamil Nadu

Dated: 28-07-2021

            Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian (Chennai South): It is shocking to learn that the state-of-the-art Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC) at Chengalpattu near Chennai has not only been lying idle but also not manufactured a single vaccine in the past nine years. It was supposed to produce life-saving and cost-effective vaccines primarily to minimize the demand-supply gap in the Universal Immunization program. The current production rate of COVID-19 vaccines in India does not match the increasing demands. It is very important to increase the domestic production of vaccines by utilizing the unused HLL Biotech Limited (HBL), Chengalpattu for vaccine production.

Our beloved Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has requested the Union Government to hand over the facility to the Tamil Nadu government on lease for the production of COVID-19 vaccines to balance the supply and demand. Considering the pandemic situation and the high urgency of vaccination, I urge the Union Government to hand over the HLL Biotech unit to the Tami Nadu government on lease for the production of COVID-19 vaccines without any further delay. In the same manner, I also urge the Government to re-commence the production of vaccines at Pasteur Institute, Coonoor in Tamil Nadu.