Government approves Rs350 cr biotech PPP scheme
Government approves Rs350 cr biotech PPP scheme
New Delhi: In a bid to boost discovery and innovation in the biotech sector, government today approved a public private partnership programme (PPP) earmarking a budgetary support of Rs350 crore in the 11th five year plan.
“The Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP) is an advanced technology science scheme envisaged as a government partnership with industries for support on cost sharing basis for high risk discovery and innovation," Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Prithvraj Chavan told reporters after a meeting of the CCEA.
He said that the programme would also go for accelerated technology development specially for futuristic areas.
“An amount of Rs350 crore has been earmarked for the scheme during the 11th Plan," Chavan said.
“The scheme is aimed at increasing competitiveness of Indian industry in new and futuristic technologies and enhance ownership of IP in these areas," he added.
“This will also help in addressing national unmet technological needs in agriculture, human health, animal productivity, energy and environment where expected social and economic impact is high," Chavan said.
The programme will also help fulfill biotech strategy objectives of 30% of Department of Biotechnology’s research and development (R&D) investment in partnership with industry.
“The scheme provides for a government contribution of 30-50% to the industry for discovery linked innovation," he said, adding that the support would be provided only for futuristic areas, transformational technology and product development for public good.
Besides, Chavan said that a meeting of the Union Cabinet approved the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP), which is aimed at strengthening and integration of in-situ (protection of endangered species in its natural habitat) and ex-situ (protection of endangered species in relocation in a new habitat).
“NBAP will also augment natural resources base and its sustainable utilisation, ensuring inter and intra-generational equity," he added.
The plan will regulate introduction of invasive alien species and their management, besides undertaking assessment of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change and desertifications.
It will also undertake a host of other steps such as development and integration of biodiversity databases, strengthening implementation of policy, legislative and administrative measures for biodiversity conservation and management
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