Where is the place for BCs in Hyderabad, the Pharma Capital?

T. Chiranjeevulu, IAS Ret
Where is the place for BCs in Hyderabad, the Pharma Capital?
Hyderabad — known as the pharma capital of India, home to Genome Valley, a biotechnology hub, and a center for API production. It is a major supplier of medicines to global markets. With over 800 pharma companies, according to the IMark Group report, India’s pharmaceutical market is valued at $61.36 billion. If Hyderabad accounts for a third of this, it translates to a turnover of approximately 18 lakh crores, a level that makes the nation proud. Hyderabad ranks first in drug manufacturing and third in formulations. However, despite this remarkable growth, Backward Classes (BCs) have gained nothing.
A look at major companies:

Company Name	Founders/Owners	Social Category/Caste
1. Dr. Reddy’s Lab	Kallam Satish Reddy	Reddy
2. Aurobindo Pharma	Rama Prasad Reddy, Nityananda Reddy	Reddy
3. Divis Lab	Murali Krishna Choudhary	Kamma
4. Hetero Drugs	B. Partha Sarathi Reddy (also Rajya Sabha MP)	Reddy
5. Natco Pharma	V.C. Nannapaneni	Kamma
6. Laurus Labs	Dr. Satyanarayana Chava	Brahmin/OC
7. Suraksha Pharma	Someshwara Mannepalli
8. Shilpa Medicare	Vishnukanth Bhargava	OC
9. MSN Laboratories	Sudhir Reddy	Reddy
10. Spansules	Guthikonda Venkata Subba Rao

Prominent Biotechnology and Biopharma Companies in Hyderabad, their Founders, and Owners:

Company Name	Founders/Current Management	Social Category/Caste
1. Biological E. Ltd	Dr. D.V.K. Raju; Current: Mahima Datla (CEO/MD)
2. Shantha Biotechnics	Dr. K.I. Varaprasad Reddy; Now fully acquired by Sanofi (French pharma giant)	Reddy
3. Bharat Biotech	Krishna Ella, Suchitra Ella (Covaxin manufacturer)	Kamma
4. Aragen Life Sciences (formerly GVK Bio)	Started by GVK Group; Now under Quadria Capital
5. Laurus Labs	Dr. Satyanarayana Chava (founded 2005); Also runs Laurus Bio	Brahmin/OC
6. Indian Immunologicals	Minish Shah
7. Suven Life Sciences	Venkateshwarlu Jasti
8. Aizant	Varma Rudraraju
9. KOLA	Meenakshi Kola, Saujanya Gudati
10. Pulse Pharmaceuticals	K.V. Rambabu

All these companies are dominated by upper castes like Reddy, Velama, and Kamma. However, BCs have not been able to reach this level. Not a single BC is an owner in these top 10 companies. This may seem natural to some, but it is the result of a caste-dominated system.
In this system, the marginalized communities face pollution, diseases, medicines, and hospitals, while the wealthy owners enjoy profits, luxurious lifestyles, and foreign trips. Most of these pharma companies fail to adhere to safety standards.
In the past, prominent public sector pharma companies like IDPL and IDL existed in Hyderabad. Gradually, as these companies faced losses, some influential individuals who worked there started their own pharma companies and are now reigning as giants in the industry. It is also alleged that they took formulas from these public sector companies to establish their private enterprises.
Even in Telangana’s MSME policy, there is no reservation for BCs, reflecting the state government’s “affection” for them.
Why haven’t BCs progressed?

1. Historical Exclusion: BCs have been systematically denied access to business opportunities, education, and capital by rulers.
2. Dominance of Upper Castes: Land, bank loans, and government approvals are controlled by upper castes, pushing BCs out.
3. Neglect by Policymakers: The negligence of intellectuals, activists, and policymakers has hindered the development of industrial knowledge among BCs.
4. Favoritism toward Big Players: API parks, bulk drug packaging facilities, and greenfield projects are allocated only to large companies.
5. Lack of Opportunities for BC Youth: BC students with M.Pharm or B.Pharm degrees are confined to employee roles and cannot reach ownership levels.

The time to question these inequalities has come.Rulers often talk about “social justice” and “equal opportunities,” but there is no action to provide BCs a share in the industrial sector. In the pharma capital, BCs are relegated to roles like lab technicians or workers. This inequality must be challenged now.
Legislative Measures Needed for BC Progress:

1. Special Pharma Parks for BCs: Provide finance, skill development, and R&D startup support for BC entrepreneurs.
2. BC Industrial Fund: The state government should establish a fund with low-interest loans and subsidies for BC industrialists.
3. Industrial Reservation Policy: Ensure at least 50% of government incentive schemes are allocated to BCs.
4. BC Industrial Forums: Establish a forum like TIDCO for BC entrepreneurs.

The collusion of dominant castes and power has trampled pollution regulations, allowing the pharma sector to flourish in Hyderabad. A recent example is the reactor explosion at Sugachi Pharma, where around 42 people, all from marginalized communities, lost their lives. Their lives are treated as insignificant, with minimal compensation offered to brush the issue aside. Pollution affects the weaker sections, while profits go to upper castes. They become owners, while BCs and marginalized communities remain laborers. BCs and Bahujans are forced to toil for a handful of elites. This is the social justice of this country.
Hyderabad’s development is said to be for all, but the benefits are reaped by a few. For BCs to find a place in the pharma capital, the slogans of Hissa (share), Izzat (respect), and Hukumat (power) must resonate in the industrial sector. The time for silence is over; it’s time to raise questions