Bivek Mathur
Jammu, Apr 21: Even as sanction was accorded to the constitution of Governing Body and Task Force for establishment of Biotechnology parks in Srinagar and Jammu last year, the government is yet to take possession of land in Kathua town for the project. The concerned minister is all praise for the Chief Minister saying,"CM saheb bade interested hain" however eulogizing Omar is nothing but a futile attempt to hide the facts.
Under Government order number 554-GAD of 2013 dated 03-04-2013, sanction was accorded to the constitution of Governing Body and Task Force for establishment of Biotechnology parks in Srinagar and Jammu with Secretary DBT as Chairman of the Governing Body, Chairman SAC-CM, Principal Secretary to CM, Director IIIM (CSIR), Administrative Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Administrative Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, CEO, SIDCO J&K, CEO, J&K bank, Director IMTECH (CSIR), Chandigarh, Advisor/JS & FA of DBT (GoI), one expert on Biotech industry, one expert on essential oil industry, Dr. P K Seth, CEO, Biotech park, Lucknow, CEO, National Medicinal plants Board, CEO, Biotech park, J&K as members of the Governing Body and Task Force comprising Prof. B L Chopra (Chairman SAC-CM), Principal Secretary to CM, Dr. Ram Vishwakarma (IIIM), Dr. RK Raina (IIIM), Administrative Secretary, Science and Technology, CEO, SIDCO, CEO J&K Bank (Or his nominee) as members.
The process for setting up of two industrial parks under Department of Biotechnology of Union Ministry of Science and Technology was started by State government last year and 80 Kanals of land was identified at Kathua in Jammu and Ompora in Srinagar respectively but owing to political inertia, the state government could not take possession of the land at Ghatti Sector in Kathua.
Minister for Science and Technology, Feroze Khan, when contacted by this newspaper said the land for the project in Ompura Srinagar has been transferred to the Department of Science and Technology whereas the process for transferring of land in Kathua is yet under the 'active' consideration of the government.
On further questioning about the amount released from Planning and Development Department for transferring of land in possession of IT Department in Srinagar, the Minister averted the reply and said that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have been sent to Union Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology for getting their nod to start the construction work for the establishment of parks soon.
These parks have been planned to provide financial and other logistical support to new entrepreneurs having the intellectual capabilities to develop new biotech products and processes. Such entrepreneurs may find the parks attractive. |
