Lok Sabha Question No. 2512 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: National Bio-technology Development Strategy
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2512 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26/12/2018

## National Bio-technology Development Strategy

## 2512.   SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has launched the country's National Bio-technology Development Strategy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the aims and objectives behind the move;
- (c) whether the launch has achieved its objectives and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  launch  a  major  mission  for  creation  of  new biotech products  and setting  up  of  new  biotech clusters,  biotech  incubators  and  bio connect centres;
- (e) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be set up ;
- (f) whether  the  Department  of  Bio-technology  under  this  strategy  create  a  technology development and translation network across India with global partnership and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the other  steps  taken/being taken  by  the  Government to  turn  the sector  into a $100 billion industry by 2025 with focus in areas of healthcare, food and nutrition, clean energy and education ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)&(b)Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  has  launched  National  Biotechnology  Development Strategy 2015-2020 in year 2015. The aims and objectives were to take a critical look at the Indian Biotech Sector and to decide key sectoral priorities.
- (c) Yes  Madam.  In  accordance  with  the  guiding  principles  and  sectoral  priorities identified in the Biotech Strategy, the Department has strengthened its ongoing efforts to  promote  research  and  development  and  innovation  activities  in  Biotechnology Sector and also initiated several new programs and missions.
- (d) The  Department  of  Biotechnology  has  launched  a  National  Bio-pharma  Mission Program  to  promote  Industry-  Academic  interaction  for  development  of  affordable products in partnership with World Bank in year 2017 with a total cost of Rs. 1500

crores.  The  mission  aims  to  create  enabling  infrastructure  and  development  of affordable innovations in area of healthcare including medical device and diagnostics. 4  biotech  clusters,  35  biotech  incubators  and  2  bio  connect  offices  have  been supported.

- (e) The National Biopharma Mission program is for 5 years. In accordance with Startup India Action Plan, the Department targets to support a total of 5 biotech clusters, 50 biotech incubators and 20 bio connect offices by 2020.
- (f) The Department has created 4 biotech clusters,  3 BIRAC  regional  entrepreneurship centres, 2 bio connect offices, supported 35 biotech incubators and several international  partnerships  have  been  created  to  strengthen  technology  development and translation networks across India. The efforts in this direction are being further strengthened.
- (g) Along with the action taken under startup India Action Plan for creation and support of biotech clusters, biotech incubators, BIRAC regional entrepreneurship centres, bio connect offices, the Department of Biotechnology has launched a National Biopharma Mission to support development of affordable products and Biotechnology Innovation Fund - AcE Fund (Accelerating Entrepreneurs) with a total cost of Rs. 150 Crores to induce investment in Biotechnology Sector. Further a National Biotech Park Scheme has  been  launched  to  create  partnership  with  States  for  promoting  Biotechnology Sector. Under the clean energy mission 3 demonstration plants are being commissioned to convert principal solid waste to Energy.

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