(a) whether the Union Government are serious about promoting the bio-tech market as the country has a great potential to emerge as a global player in this section;
(b) if so, the details of constructive steps taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Union Government have evolved any system to regulate the bio-tech protocol regimes; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT)
(a) & (b) : Sir. The Government of India is making constant efforts for boosting Biotech Market. The steps
taken for promotion of biotech market include imposing customs duties on imported biotech products where
ever necessary, encouraging Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in biotech sector, initiating measures for
speedy implementation of FIPB projects, constitution of Fast Track Committees (FTC) under Foreign Investment
Implementation Authority (FIIA) etc. To encourage research in industrial sector, the Government of India
has established Technology Development Board (TDB) and Pharmaceutical Research and Development Support Fund
(PRDSF) under the Department of Science and Technology for providing soft loans. Incentives like exemption
from Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995 for certain biotech products, 150% of weighted deductions on R&D
expenditure etc., have been allowed. Further, the Government has instituted awards for recognition of
scientists/innovators/entrepreneurs/institutions/companies for outstanding contributions in the area of
biotech product & process development.
(c) & (d) : For regulating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and products thereof, the Government had
notified Rules in 1989, under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Under these Rules, Competent Authorities
at Central Government level are established. Guidelines for handling GMOs and products thereof at research
and field trials stages are also published by the government. A Single Window Application Processing Cell
(SWAPC), headed by a senior scientist to deal with all the applications on GMOs and products thereof is
created in the Department of Biotechnology for easing the compliance of the regulatory procedures.