HC to state: Furnish report on setting up of labs in Baddi

The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed the state government to furnish factual report regarding the establishment and functioning of the proposed pharma and drug testing laboratories at Baddi after noting discrepancy over central funding.

During the hearing, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi observed a contradiction between the state and the Union Government concerning the Composite Pharma Testing Laboratory project.

The state government submitted that the second installment of Rs 6.76 crore is still awaited from the Centre. However, the Centre stated that the entire central share of Rs 40.5 crore has already been released and no further liability remains under the scheme. In light of this inconsistency, counsel for the state sought time to verify the factual position.

While granting time, the court listed the matter for further hearing on April 20.

The court passed this order on a public interest litigation regarding the establishment of pharma test laboratories in the state.