February 21, 2002

'13'

DBT SEEKS ALLOCATION OF RS. 275 CRORE FOR 2002-03

    The Department of Biotechnology of the Ministry of Science and Technology has sought an allocation of Rs. 275 crore for the annual plan 2002-03. This is for the on-going programmes which include vaccine research, genomics, transgenic in plants and animals and technology transfer besides the Jai Vigyan Mission projects and their continuation.

    Some of the new initiatives will include herbal product and coffee improvement, genomic mirror site, biotech approach to combat malnutrition and ensuring nutritional security as well as development of bio-fuels. Apart from this, the department will be providing catalytic support to the states in setting up biotechnology parks, biotech cities and biotech institutes. Bioinformatics programme is also to be expanded significantly.

    The Department will set aside Rs. 25 crore for the creation of Biotechnology Development Fund in collaboration with the Small Industries Development Bank of India and setting up of Technology Incubators.The highlight of achievements made during the 9th Plan period by the Department include, development and commercialisation of leprosy vaccine, a number of diagnostic kits that include, one for HIV which is quite cost-effective compared to the imported kit, genetic counselling covering thousands of families, reduction in disease burden and expansion of plant-tissue culture activities which have generated additional income to the farming community from Rs. 22000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum. 10 million tissue-culture plants are already in the field covering 85000 hectares and the silk worm genome initiative enhancing silk productivity by over 40 percent.