(a) whether it is a fact that the biotech market in 1997-98 in India totalled US 500 million dollars and it is expected to touch US 2.5 billion dollars in India by 2001; and
(b) if so, the special steps proposed by the Government to achieve the target in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT)
(a) & (b) : Yes Sir, it is a fact that biotech market is increasing
progressively from year to year in the areas like human and animal health,
agriculture and specialty products. The estimates for biotech market are
from individual private market research groups. The Government of India is
taking all possible steps to promote biotech industry in the country by
guiding and according permissions to the entrepreneurs under existing rules
and regulations. The Government is also actively taking part in
transferring indigenous research and technologies to the entrepreneurs for
prototype and large scale development of products. R&D projects are
supported towards product and process development. M/s. Biotech Consortium
India Ltd. (BCIL), New Delhi has been established by the Government and is
helping to act as interface between academia and industry. Government is
also facilitating patenting of inventions. Both public and private sector
industries are joining hands with R&D institutions. Government is helping
to bring them together and facilitate technology transfer agreements.
Government is also permitting the scientists/research institutions to
retain the revenue generated from patents and technology transfer to
encourage more of such efforts.