Plant Protection Training Institute to become autonomous

New Delhi, Jul 24 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved a proposal to convert National Plant Protection Training Institute (NPPTI), Hyderabad into an autonomous National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPM).

The Government would fund the full recurring and non-recurring costs of the Institute for ten years to make it self sufficient, and provide Rs 29.40 crore as assistance during the 11th Plan, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

The Institute will be registered as a Society under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860, which will enable autonomous functioning and effective capacity building in the sector.

It will function as a policy support centre in all sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) matters, and create adequate capacity, both in public and private sectors, to meet the growing challenges of non-tariff barriers in the form of SPS issues.

It will also help in protecting the country's agro-ecosystem from alien pests and diseases.

UNI YJ GT DS1417