Vijay Wadettiwar seeks assurance Haffkine Institute won’t be privatised

Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Friday raised concerns over the future of the Haffkine Institute in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and sought a clear assurance from the state government that the institution would not be privatisedDuring the discussion in the Assembly Wadettiwar questioned the government over reports regarding possible privatisation plans and demanded transparency about decisions concerning the institutersquos assets and development plansWadettiwar said the issue had been raised earlier and the government had initially maintained that no part of the institutersquos land had been handed over However he claimed that it was later revealed that five acres of land had been allotted to the Tata Group through an agreement for setting up a research centreHe said the difference between earlier statements and subsequent developments had created confusion and urged the government to present a clear position before the HouseDemand raised for funds to upgrade facilitiesHighlighting the institutersquos requirements Wadettiwar said the government had previously acknowledged that the Haffkine Institute needed around Rs 150 crore to support vaccine production and upgrade its machineryHe questioned why private companies were showing interest in the institutersquos assets when a comparatively smaller financial allocation from the government could help improve its infrastructure and capabilitiesAccording to Wadettiwar the institute has played an important role in public health and scientific research for several decades He said strengthening such institutions through government support was essential instead of allowing uncertainty over their futureConcerns raised over institutersquos assetsWadettiwar also expressed concern over the future of assets linked to the institute claiming that properties worth around Rs 1500 crore could attract private interestHe demanded that the government provide a clear statement regarding its plans and ensure that the institute continues to function as a public health institutionThe Congress leader urged the government to announce the required financial support and take measures to improve the institutersquos functioning He said the institutersquos research and healthcare contributions should be protected through longterm planning and adequate investmentGovernment says institute will not be privatisedResponding to the concerns raised in the Assembly the concerned minister clarified that the Haffkine Institute would not be privatisedThe minister also assured legislators that a meeting involving officials and elected representatives would be held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to discuss measures for strengthening the instituteThe government said steps would be considered to address the institutionrsquos requirements and improve its functioning