Centre to provide fund for science & technology development: Minister

Centre to provide fund for science & technology development: Minister

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, Dec 23: Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Science Dr Harsh Vardhan on Friday announced to provide an amount of Rs 150 to 200 crore to Aruchal Pradesh for development of science and technology in the state. “The fund will be made available the state by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Polymer Science and technology (PST), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Earth Science (ES) for a period of five years, he told reporters at harlagun helipad today before leaving for New Delhi. He said, his visit to the Himalayan state was meaningful, fruitful and he gained firsthand experience. He said the climatic condition of the region was congenial to grow medicil plants species to prevent various diseases. “Programme for medicil plants cultivation in the state could be taken up under DBT, Indian Council of Medicil Research (ICMR), CSIR, nutrition institutes like Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) and North East Regiol Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST).

Dr Vardhan who arrived here on Wednesday, further informed that he visited Kimin in Papum Pare district yesterday and laid foundation stones for Center for Bioresearches and Rural Technology Centre to be implemented under DBT and DST. The minister stressed on creation of IP Cell to dedicate and preserve the traditiol knowledge of the indigenous people and research institution in Aruchal Pradesh. He also advised to promote traditiol tural dyes in the state and setting up of Ba fibre extraction and processing cum-training unit for the local entrepreneurs. He focused on implementation of Biotechnology projects like, ture Dyes, Ba Fibre Extraction processing units, Fruit processing units, Mushroom production, medicil and Aromatic plant cultivation orchid cultivation and Vermi culture for a rapid socio-economic development besides creating facilities for marketing of their produce particularly of rural people.

Dr, Vardhan, further informed that Prime Minister rendra Modi was taking special care for Aruchal Pradesh and keen to develop the state is all spheres. He appealed to all to cooperate with the Centre to carry out all developmental activities successfully and meaningfully toward progress and prosperity of the people and the state. The Minister on Thursday after laying the foundation stones of two important projects at Kimin highlighted on various activities taken up by the Centre for Aruchal. “We appreciate and feel proud of the richness of the state in terms of its biodiversity and its bio resources. With advancement of science, it is necessary that the bio resources are preserved, monitored and utilized for the best use of the humanity not only for the people of Aruchal but for the whole world,” he said. He further said that the latest scientific acumen was put in place which would help in generation of jobs for the people of the state.

He added that the Centre is contemplating to set a State level Biotech Hub in the state for conducting high end researches and training of North Eastern region for creating employable manpower. He further disclosed that 50 Biotech Laboratories in Senior Secondary Schools of the state would be established under Department to encourage young dymic students to promote practical exposure and learning of science. “Five centres of excellence will also be established in different areas of Biotechnology in the state. There will be development of an outreach programme cell at the state Science and Technology council and establishment of Biotechnology innovation hub,” he added.

He said, for implementing the projects, the Centre has put 75 to 100 crores in the next five years only for the biotechnology and setting up of biotechnology lab in schools is going to directly benefit more than ten thousand students and teachers of the state towards promoting education in biotechnology. He urged upon the state government to expeditiously implement the projects. The minister accompanied by his wife also visited the State Science Centre at IG Park here on Thursday and interacted with the students of VKV school.

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