To manufacture drug from medicinal plants...State Govt, CSIR sign MoU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 15 2020: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on manufacturing drugs from medicinal plants found in the State.

This was stated by Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan at a press meet held at his Kongba Nandeibam Leikai residence this afternoon.

Dr Ranjan said that the MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren yesterday and it would cover both public sector and private sector.

Under the MoU, FEEDS Hengbung would collaborate with an ethno-medicine group based at Lucknow and they would manufacture three types of drugs for strengthening heart, treatment/control of diabetes and cancer, he said.

Scientific research and laboratory testing have been completed for manufacturing a drug from ushingsha (cinnamon) for treatment of arthritis.

But some other processes including technology transfer are yet to be completed, said the Lok Sabha MP.

"Considering my background, the Lok Sabha Speaker appointed me as a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment & Climate Change and Science & Technology.

I'm also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on NEC and DoNER", Dr Ranjan said.

"Being a member of these committees, I got many opportunities to discuss about the bioresources of Manipur, particular medicinal plants during closed door meetings", he said.

Saying that an MoU has been inked as a result of his endeavour, Dr Ranjan claimed that it was a major achievement for him.

Talking about the National Sports University, the MP said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted the university to the players and sports-loving people of Manipur in 2014 .

Maintaining that the development work of the sports university is not satisfactory, Dr Ranjan said that he would urge the Union YAS Minister, and if possible the Prime Minister, to constitute a committee of MPs so as to expedite infrastructure development work of National Sports University (NSU) .

NSU is not just about setting up a university.

It would help improve the State's economy and boost tourism and many other sectors, he claimed.

If one looks at the current pace of railway construction work, it is hard to imagine railway tracks at Imphal in the near future, Dr Ranjan remarked.

"Pointing out that China has successfully put Lhasa on its railway map notwithstanding its extreme climatic conditions, I asked the authorities concerned as to why they are unable to construct a railway line up to Imphal", Dr Ranjan said.

"After making a direct assessment of the ongoing construction work of Jiribam-Imphal railway line in January or February, I would submit a report to the Central Government", he continued.

It is rather disappointing for the whole State that construction of RCC bridges over Barak and Makru has been delayed by 16 months, Dr Ranjan continued.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to provide potable water and power to all the villages, construct good roads and houses by 2022 would be hard to achieve in Manipur unless the administration of hill areas is reformed, he asserted.

In Nagaland, the Government does not recognise a village if there are not at least 500 households.

However, in Manipur, a small settlement having only 20 households is recognised by the Government as a village, he pointed out and added that this is one major obstacle in taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's several social security schemes and other development programmes to each and every village of Manipur.

The MP said that he had already taken up the need for reforming hill administration with the Chief Minister.

"I have also raised a proposal to the Chief Minister to discuss with leaders of hill people about setting up a development council or an upper house under a bicameral system so that development reaches 14 minority tribal groups of the State", he said.

Even though MP's Local Area Development Fund has not been released because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2000 solar street lamps have been arranged for distribution to the public, Dr Ranjan said.

Solar street lamps would be provided for lighting the surrounding areas of the Tingkao Ragwang temple of Chingmeirong tomorrow, he said.

Dr Ranjan said that Chanam Sandrok village of Imphal East district would be developed as a model village under Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) .

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