Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 31: Despite the lapse of more than eight years Department of Science and Technology is yet to come out with a formal order assigning the status of a full-fledged subject to Biotechnology subject in the State.
In 2004 the then State Government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had ordered the Department of Science and Technology to add Biotechnology as a subject and put it on serial number 6 in the list of subjects. However, the directions have not been followed up to this moment of time jeopardizing the future of youth who have completed degrees or diplomas in Biotechnology.
The delay in the allocation of full-fledged subject to Biotechnology has resulted in non-utilization of funds meant for different Biotechnology projects in the state. The State Government has also failed in submitting the project proposals to the Union Ministry of Biotechnology for the promotion of subject in the State.
Mufti Government had also directed the Department of Science and Technology to deal with all matters pertaining to the Bio-Technology and in collaboration with the State Council of Science and Technology, Universities of State and Departments of Forest, Environment, Fisheries, Agriculture evolve a comprehensive plan of action for the promotion of Bio-Technology in the State.
Union Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr M K Bhan had in a meeting in October this year impressed upon the State Government and the authorities of the different universities of the state to discuss initiatives regarding Biotechnology related programmes in the State. The Union Secretary had also asked the authorities to come forward with plans and projects for promotion and up-gradation of biotechnology sector in the State.
Sources said that Department of Science and Technology has failed to evolve a comprehensive plan of action for the promotion of Biotechnology in the State in collaboration with the State Government Departments.
“The Government of India has stressed the need for utilization of Biotechnology scholars in the State in view of the fact that Biotechnology is advanced aspect of today’s life. Government should take concrete steps for creation of posts for the unemployed youth who have got degree or diploma in Biotechnology,” said sources.
It would be in place to mention here that Chief Minister’s Secretariat has also written to Department of Science and Technology for utilization of services of unemployed Biotechnologist scholars in the department but this too has fallen on deaf ears of the concerned department so far.
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