Badal asks PSCST to prepare road map for Biotechnology

Chandigarh, Sep 5 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) to prepare a road map for the promotion of biotechnology and nanotechnology to give an impetus to diversification of agriculture and promote qualitative industrial growth.

Presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of the PSCST, Mr Badal directed the Secretary, Science and Technology to gear up efforts to get the various schemes and proposals cleared from the Union Science Technology and Environment Ministeries. He said he had recently discussed the schemes with the Union Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal.

He assured the PSCST that he would personally take up the matter with the Centre for the approval of biotechnology cluster which included National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute, Bio-Processing Unit and Biotech Park, besides National Institute of Nanotechnology.

The Chief Minister also asked the PSCTS and Punjab Pollution Control Board to jointly conduct a study for the desalination of brackish groundwater based on reverse osmosis for drinking water supply. Mr Badal said the panchayats could also be motivated to join this mission as there was acute shortage of drinking water, especially in the Malwa and Majha belt.

Mr Badal agreed to the proposal of Executive Director of PSCST Dr NS Tiwana to allot 10 acres land for setting up a multifarious biotechnology application centre with a focus on women and rural development.

The Chief Minister also conceded the demand of Mr Tiwana for making provision of Rs 10 lakh per year in the state budget for this project.

Taking part in the deliberations, Science Technology and Environment Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said concerted efforts should be made to popularise the biotechnology based programmes for women and rural development. He said Neem based bio-pesticides, vermi-composting, bio-fertilizers, soild waste management, value addition of Amala and Lemon grass were among few ventures undertaken by the council as having tremendous employment potential.

Mr Majithia also underlined the need for prioritization of protection of environment through wet land, bio-diversity conservation and environment out reach programmes.

He pointed out that thousands of engineering graduates could get self-employment. Besides, 10,000 skilled and 20,000 unskilled people would be absorbed in the programme of reverse osmosis. Business activities worth Rs 10,000 crore would be generated in ancillary industrial units at village level, he added.

While interacting with the mediapersons, Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board Dr J S Bajaj said a comprehensive policy on Science and Technology would soon be framed and notified by the Punjab government with a sole objective to develop scientific temper among the youth.

UNI