There is malicious news being spread in news media and social media platforms about the Company to the effect that the Company is violating the Covid-19 Safety Guidelines published by the State Government. It is also alleged that more than 100 employees have tested positive for Covid-19 infection and the Company is continuing the manufacturing operations by concealing the Employees Covid-19 Positive cases. Some of the people without having proper information/knowledge made complaints to Nelamangala Tahsildar, Bangalore Rural DC and other authorities. Based on such complaints Nelamangala Taluk administration had visited the Factory on last Thursday (06.05.2021) and directed the Company to shut down the operations in view of some Covid-19 Positive employees. Accordingly the Company has shut-down the operations and provided necessary clarifications to the Administrative Authorities.

The Company hereby places before general public the correct information for their understanding and to clear any mis-conception in this regard.

Somerset Limited is engaged in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and is an 100% EOU Unit operating in this location for the last 25 years. The company manufactures injections and ophthalmic products and four of our products are used in the treatment of Covid infected patients. The manufacturing plant is of International Standards and has very good manufacturing practices and the Manufacturing Area is of controlled atmosphere with high degree of clean air concepts and we have adequate controls and systems to ensure that the area is free from any microbials/bacteria’s which is a critical requirement for manufacture of sterile injections. Therefore, the chances of presence or spread of Covid-19 virus inside factory manufacturing area is absolutely not there.

However, some of the employees in the laboratory area may have got the infections outside the factory and when we noticed that they have some symptoms, like cold, cough and fever, we closed down the lab for 4 days and subjected all the lab employees for RTPCR Test. Some of the employees have tested on their own at the recognized laboratories and there were 60 employees who have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. Employees with covid positive reports and also who have symptoms were strictly prohibited from entering the factory premises and were advised to be home quarantined/isolated to avoid spreading of infection to their family members. They were also advised to consult the Doctors for proper medication and treatment.

Even after the testing we waited for 3 more days to ascertain if any of the employees who have tested negative have any symptoms and allowed only such employees who tested negative and no symptoms thereafter. In other words, we have only people who are free from Covid, working in the Company.

Further, the RTPCR Tests are done through ICMR recognized Laboratory and before the testing, employees are registered with SRF Numbers and Positive cases are identified with BUID and the recognized Laboratory sends the positive reports directly to the Government Authorities. Therefore there is no question of concealing any information about Employees Testing Positive.

The Company has also put in place a strict Covid-19 safety procedures/protocols to avoid spread of infection within the factory premises. Covid Safety Committee, formed by the Company with technical experts, overseas the adherence of Covid Protocols by the employees. Some of the measures followed includes (i) double masking for the employees, (ii) strict social distancing by advising some of the employees to work from home wherever feasible and split the laboratory work in two shifts, (iii) Thermal screening, monitoring and sanitization of employees at the time of entry and during lunch time, (iv) cleaning and fogging of common areas/canteens/vehicles twice a day, (v) creating additional canteen space with tents to ensure social distance during lunch time, etc.

As we fall under the essential service category, particularly producing products required for treatment of covid infected patients, the Company is continuing operations by strictly following all the Covid safety measures and guidelines prescribed by the statutory authorities, State and Central Government. The Company is also testing the employees aggressively to ensure that there are no infected people inside the factory. The Company has also extended various welfare measures for the employees like (i) compensation of ₹ 25 lakhs per employee and ₹ 10 each of family member of employee in the event of untoward death of employee due to Covid infection, (ii) free canteen, (iii) free covid insurance policy to cover the covid treatment cost of employees and their family members upto Rs.12 lakh per family, etc.

The Company has a duty and moral obligation to work and ensure continued supply of medicines for the desperate patients who are fighting for their life against this COVID-19. We have explained the issues to the concerned Authorities and working with them to clear their mis-conception and restart the Operations at the earliest.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

For Somerset Limited

Sunil Gundewar
Chief Operating Officer

Date: 09.05.2021

Place: Nelamangala, Bangalore Rural