The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Pasteur Institute staff begin relay fast

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Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Pasteur Institute staff begin relay fast

Special Correspondent

Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Right demand: K. Subbarayan, MP, inaugurating a relay fast in front of the Pasteur Institute of India at Coonoor on Monday. —

Udhagamandalam: Under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee of unions in the Pasteur Institute of India, workers commenced a relay fast near the institute in Coonoor on Monday.

It was to draw the attention of the Central Government to their demands, including lifting of the restrictions on producing vaccines. Urging the government to drop the move to shift the vaccine production facility from Coonoor the participants said that it should not be converted into a hospital or a testing facility.

Demanding the appointment of a new director, they said that the flow of funds to the institute should not be stopped. Funds should be provided to expand the plant and a CBI investigation should be ordered to go into the activities of the Director N. Elangeswaran.

The Coimbatore MP, K. Subbarayan, inaugurated the fast. Among those who addressed the workers was the district secretary, CPI, A. Bellie.

Earlier speaking to presspersons, Mr. Subbarayan condemned the attempt being made to promote the private sector by closing well-established units like the Pasteur Institute. The Pasteur Institute has the capacity to produce vaccines as per World Health Organisation standards. He added that the issue will be raised in Parliament.

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