Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 15: The Department of Biotechnology of Union Ministry of Science and Technology has sought written commitment from the Jammu and Kashmir Government on timely release of State share before according clearance to the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of two Biotechnology Parks proposed to be set up in Kathua and Budgam districts. This step is being taken by the Union Ministry in view of the track record of the State Government in delaying the release of its share following receipt of central assistance.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that after receiving green signal from the Union Ministry of Science and Technology about funding establishment of two Biotechnology Parks in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Government earlier this year started exercise to identify the land and finally 80 kanals of land each in Ghatti Industrial Estate in Kathua district and Ompora Industrial Estate in Budgam district was identified.
In the parallel exercise, the Science and Technology Department of the State prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of both the proposed Biotechnology Parks and submitted the same to the Department of Biotechnology of Union Science and Technology Ministry in the month of August under the signature of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
However, the Union Ministry has not cleared the DPRs till date and the officers of the Department of Biotechnology have conveyed to the Science and Technology Department of the State that they must give formal commitment about release of State Share so that the DPRs could be cleared, sources said. “It is learnt that the Union Ministry has laid this condition keeping in view the track record of the State Government in delaying the release of State share following clearance of the project at the Union Government level and receipt of central assistance”, they added.
In response to a question, sources said that land identified in Ghatti and Ompora Industrial Estates has yet not been transferred by the SIDCO to Science and Technology Department and the issue is presently under discussion in the Planning and Development Department.
“The SIDCO has demanded Rs 3 lakh per kanal for transferring land to the S&T Department. Moreover, it has sought yearly rental of Rs 3000 per kanal”, they said, adding “since S&T Department requires nearly Rs 10 crore to take possession of the land, the Planning and Development Department has been approached for sanctioning of funds”.
When contacted, Minister for Science and Technology, Feroz Khan said, “in order to sort out the issue of State share and funds for the land, I am going to convene meeting of Commissioner Secretaries of Planning and Science and Technology Departments on November 19”.
“Both the issues will be resolved as Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is very keen to get these Biotechnology Parks established”, he further said, adding “Government has already constituted Governing Body and Task Force for setting up of Biotechnology Parks”.
The objectives of setting up the Biotech Parks are to utilize the medicinal plant, photo pharmaceutical, Pharma bio-resources and aromatic plant bio resources available in the State; create core technology infrastructure to enable setting up of new industry in the State based on unique biodiversity (medicinal and aromatic plants), protein therapeutics, vaccines and fermentation products; to incentivise (tax structure etc) and support the startup companies, for incubation and development of innovative led, high growth and knowledge based Business and to promote setting up biotechnology and industrial ventures.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel