India News on complaints about Lens Fake maps, NOC, ODI for approval on new pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Pharmacy colleges established in the state in the last three years have investigated after complaints about fake documents, including certified maps and business certificates for buildings, being presented for approval. Offers of more than 115 colleges offering B form and about 200D farms have been revealed during this period. Acting on these complaints, the state government has ordered a re -inspection of all such institutions to verify the authenticity of its documents and whether they meet all the requirements. Its purpose is to include mushrooms of colleges in the state and stop seats vacancies during admission. Data from the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) shows that more than 30% of the seats remained vacant in both B form and D form courses in the state last year.In a recent order, Govt said that many complaints were received by the Minister of Higher and Technical Education about Pharmacy, Diploma, Degree and Post Graduate Institutions, which were approved by depositing fake documents such as state and central govts such as certified maps, no-object certificates (NOCs), occupancy certificate, and utility certificates. Orders directed: “The validity of these documents should be verified with the concerned authorities, and an institution-wise inspection report should be submitted to confirm whether sufficient educational facilities are available.” Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) approves new institutions. Once universities and the concerned state government provides them NOCs.Milind Umkar, President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association, a federation of five pharmaceutical associations, highlighted two major reasons behind the rapid growth in pharmacy institutes in Maharashtra. “Demand for pharmacy courses increased after the Covid-19 epidemic, as people began to recognize growing opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, including research, clinical studies, pharmacoviglances, formulation and development, and drug or vaccine manufacturing. India ranks third in drug production by volume and among top exporters. Secondly, before 2022, PCI imposed a adjournment on the establishment of new institutions. Once it was removed after a court order, several colleges participated to present pharmacy programs, “he said, saying that all institutions are important to complete a comprehensive re -inspection practice to meet PCI criteria, including a qualified faculty, infrastructure and essential number of laboratories.A representative of the college management said that in the last three years, many colleges were given NOC by the respective universities, mainly Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (BATU) loans, without any physical inspection and based on documents presented by institutions. “Batu has the most affiliated pharmacy colleges in the state, and most can come in the last three years. The university, especially established for technical colleges in the state, faces a severe lack of manpower, affecting the quality of education in affiliated institutions, “he alleged.A government official said that the officials of Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education and DTE have started conducting inspection exercises, stating that no timelines have been provided.