(a) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the Government of Gujarat to establish a Centre for Marine bio-Technology in Gujarat;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Union Government in this regard; and
(c) the plan provision for establishing Centres for Marine bio-technology in the 10th Plan and their locations?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) Yes Sir, a collaborative project proposal has been received from the Central Salt & Marine Chemicals
Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar and Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat,
Ahmedabad, in the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
(b) The proposal was examined by the Department and was found to have a large overlap with the programmes
and activities of the CSMCRI (CSIR Institute). The institute was asked to re-examine the proposal vis-…-vis
the existing mandate of CSMCRI and to submit a revised version for reconsideration of DBT. The revised
proposal has been received recently and will be considered on merit.
(c) There is no specific provision for the establishment of new Centres for Marine Biotechnology in the
Tenth Five-Year Plan. Programme support for specific research in marine biotechnology is under consideration
to already existing centres at Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin and College of
Fisheries, University of Agricultural Sciences, Mangalore. Any fresh proposal would be considered on the
basis of need and merit.