(a) whether the Union Government had undertaken a scheme to set up Regional Reference
Standards Laboratories (RRSL) during the Ninth Five Year plan;
(b) if so, the number of RRSL opened during this plan period alongwith their location;
(c) whether the existing RRSL at Ahmedabad is being modernised; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI V. SREENIVASA PRASAD)
(a) & (b): The scheme for establishment of Regional Reference Standards Laboratories
was taken up prior to the Ninth FiveYear Plan. However, establishment of two Regional
Reference Standards Laboratories, one at Faridabad for the northern region and another
at Guwahati for the north-eastern region, was initiated during the Ninth Plan period.
(c) : Yes, Sir.
(d) : Modernization of the existing RRSL at Ahmedabad during the Ninth Plan
period was taken up at a total cost of Rs. 54 lakhs. This included renovation of the
laboratory building at a cost of Rs. 17 lakhs and purchase of standard equipment for the
laboratory at a cost of Rs. 37 lakhs.