In Mohan, Almora district, Uttarakhand, there is a company called Indian Medical Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL). It was set up by the Central Government in 1978 and works under the Ministry of AYUSH. IMPCL is the only government-owned company that makes Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. However, there are now plans to hand over IMPCL to private companies, which the employees strongly oppose.
Employees Protest Against Privatization
The plan to privatize IMPCL has led to protests from its employees. They are worried that if the company is handed over to private firms, their jobs will be at risk. Some employees have even said they may take extreme steps, like self-immolation, if the government doesn’t reconsider. They believe that since IMPCL is profitable, there’s no reason to privatize it.
IMPCL’s Profitable History
Jaipal Singh Rawat, President of the IMPCL Employees Union, shared that the company has been making profits since it started. IMPCL is recognized as a Mini Ratna, meaning it’s a successful public sector enterprise. Over the past three years, the company supplied medicines worth ₹164 crore, ₹260 crore, and ₹223 crore, respectively, and earned profits of ₹15 crore, ₹45 crore, and ₹29 crore. They have set a goal of supplying medicines worth ₹500 crore in the next two years.
Impact on Employment
Many people are connected to IMPCL for their livelihood. Thousands of workers, including poor families who collect herbs from the mountains, depend on the company. If IMPCL is privatized, they fear that the land could be used to build resorts instead, leading to job losses. The employees have warned that they will launch strong protests if the company is privatized.
October 10 Deadline
The employees have given the government until October 10 to stop the privatization process. They are urging the government to think about the impact on jobs, especially for the poor, and the ongoing problem of migration from Uttarakhand’s mountain areas. If no action is taken by this date, the employees plan to go on an indefinite strike.
Political Reactions
Former Congress MLA Ranjit Singh Rawat has spoken out against privatizing IMPCL, calling it a wrong move. He said that the Congress party will oppose this decision. Cabinet Minister Rekha Arya assured that the government will make decisions that benefit the public, especially the youth and job seekers.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the Modi government on Sunday for its reported plans to privatize the Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL). She questioned the government’s intentions, suggesting the motive might be to “benefit a select group of friends.”
What is IMPCL?
IMPCL was established in 1978 in Mohan, Almora, and is the only government company that manufactures Ayurvedic and Unani medicines under the Ministry of AYUSH. Currently, the Ministry of Disinvestment (DIPAM) is overseeing its privatization. IMPCL holds licenses to make 1,200 types of medicines, with around 350 Ayurvedic and 125 Unani medicines currently in production. These are supplied to hospitals and research centers across India and are available on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, IMPCL’s “Ayush Raksha Kit,” an immunity booster, helped prevent the spread of the virus. IMPCL also supports small and medium businesses by buying materials from them, encouraging new startups.
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