(a) the details of road map prepared for the use of Bio-technology;
(b) whether the Government has encouraged the application of Bio-technology in the field of health care, agriculture and industrial sector;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the number of Biotech Parks and incubation centres functioning in the country and proposed to be established during Eleventh Plan, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) SCIENCE && TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES(SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)
(a) The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India formulated a National Biotechnology
Development Strategy which was announced in October, 2007. The Strategy was formulated after
detailed discussion with various Stake holders, Scientists, NGOs, Policy makers, Civil Societies
and Industries.
The National Biotechnology Development Strategy aims at creating such tools and technologies
that address the problems of the largest section of the society, provide products and services at
affordable prices and make India globally competitive in the emerging bio-economy. The basic goal
of the National Biotechnology Development Strategy is to enable emergence of an ecosystem that
promotes innovation. The Strategy provides for producing more world class researchers,
establishing centres of excellence and interdisciplinary networks in the university system,
strengthening technology transfer and patenting skills, promoting biotech clusters and parks,
building a strong regulatory system,improving transnational movement of biologicals, building
new institutes in a few key areas where there is deficiency and link international partnerships
to national goals.The Strategy is a comprehensive road map for addressing cross-cutting issues
related to human resource development, infrastructure strengthening, promotion of industry and
trade and public awareness, and an action plan for specific sub-sectors.The strategic action plan
will direct the future priorities and activities in different sectors of biotechnology.
(b)&(c) The Union Government has taken a number of steps to promote application of bio-technology
in the field of health care, agriculture and industry sector. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
established as an independent Department of Ministry of Science & Technology in 1986, has been
given the mandate for promotion and development of biotechnology. Besides DBT, Department of
Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council of Medical
Research and Indian Council of Agricultural Research also support biotechnology research
programmes. The main thrust of activities of DBT is on Promotion of application of bio-technology
programmes, development of products/processes, promotion of public-private-partnership, Human
Resource Development, enhancing capacity for technology transfer and commercialization,
streamlining of regulatory mechanisms, effective management of intellectual property,creation of
centres of excellence and strengthening of infrastructure. Research institutes, universities and
voluntary organizations have been supported across the country. In the health sector,emphasis is
on vaccine, diagnostics, biodrugs, implants and devices. In agriculture, emphasis is on drought,
salinity,post harvest losses, nutraceuticals, biofortifeeds using marker assisted breeding and
genetic modification where necessary.
(d) Four biotechnology parks supported by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India are
presently functioning in the country. These are located in the States of Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow)
and Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad) and two in Tamilnadu (Chennai). There are also parks in Bangalore
and Pune.New park is proposed at Mohali. Considering the importance of biotechnology parks for the
growth of the biotechnology industry, Government plans to promote and support at least ten
biotechnology parks by 2010, depending upon the feasibility of the proposals received from the
State Governments.Proposals of Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Assam and Gujarat have already
been supported by the Government.The proposal from Orissa is in the planning/development stage
by the State Government.