Rajya Sabha passes Pharma Education Bill

Tags: National News

1. Rajya Sabha passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021 which amends the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998.  
2. It has already been passed by the Lok Sabha .
3. The 1998 Act established the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, and declared it as an Institution of National Importance.   
4. The Bill declares six additional National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research as Institutions of National Importance.  These institutes are located in: 

(i) Ahmedabad, 

(ii) Hajipur, 

(iii) Hyderabad, 

(iv) Kolkata, 

(v) Guwahati, 

(vi) Raebareli.

• The Bill provides for a Council to coordinate the activities among the institutes under the Bill to ensure the development of pharmaceutical education and research and maintenance of standards.   
• An Institution of National Importance refers to an autonomous institute established under an Act, with the power to hold examinations, grant degrees, diplomas and other academic distinctions or titles.  
• These institutes of national importance receive funding from the central government.