KOLKATA 10 APRIL: With the Union government giving a clearance to Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Works Private Limited to manufacture hydrochloroquine, the officers of the company has started the work with a minimum work strength of 20 people .
The Kolkata-based Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Works Private Limited, the first company to manufacture hydrochloroquine was declared two years ago as a sick unit and they are running the organization with a 20 per cent staff strength. The company was founded by Prafulla Chandra Roy, considered as the father of Indian Chemistry.
Earlier there were 100 employees working in the organization and most of them have taken voluntary retirement service(VRS). At present only 40 staff are working in the organization .
A senior official of the Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited said: “We are trying our best to manufacture hydrochloroquine tablets and we are optimistic that we can manufacture the required supply with minimum manpower and limited infrastructure. “
Senior officials of the company said that although we have limited manpower, we have decided to start our work . The raw materials will come from Ahmedabad within next week.
The West Bengal government will facilitate all help to the researchers and officers of the laboratory who will start manufacturing them.
On Friday, the Union Health Ministry has confirmed that presently there are 3.5 crore hydro chloroquine stock in India and 1.5 crore medicines will be required presently.
West Bengal government identifies 10 hotspots for imposing complete lockdown
On Friday, chief secretary of West Bengal, Rajiva Sinha said that presently they have identified 10 hotspots, where complete lock-down will be imposed. None will be allowed to enter or leave the areas. Government will ensure supply of essential commodities.
Sinha said: “We have identified 10 hotspots in Bengal where stringent lockdown will be enforced. The hotspots might increase depending upon the number of COVID-19 positive patients from the area.”
It may be mentioned many states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh have already identified the hotspots and have decided to seal the place. In these places complete lockdown has already been imposed, to check the spread of the disease.
On Friday 12 new fresh cases of COVID-19 was detected. Till now five deaths have been reported in Bengal. A total of 89 positive cases were reported in Bengal, according to the health bulletin of the state government.