The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Fast track clearance for biotech industry on the cards

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 05, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Fast track clearance for biotech industry on the cards

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG.4. As part of the efforts to cut down red tape and facilitate a level-playing field, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal, has announced that a single window clearance would be provided to the biotech industry.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here on Wednesday, Mr. Sibal said he was aware of the kind of "road blocks" the biotech companies encountered and assured that they would not need to run from "department to department" in view of the single window clearance.

`Level-playing field'

He also stressed the need to provide a "level-playing field" by removing the "imbalance" the biotech industry was facing in view of the high customs duty paid on imported capital goods. He expressed confidence that the measures would enable the companies to produce new drugs at a cheaper price while being competitive internationally. He announced that a regulatory mechanism would also be put in place for the industry.

Mr. Sibal called upon scientists and technologists to work towards resolving the common man's problems such as hunger, food security, shelter and healthcare. With WTO's product patent regime coming into force by the beginning of next year, he urged the scientists to overcome this challenge and also find answers to more virulent forms of malaria and other diseases.

Nano materials

He said 25 years from now the country would be required to feed twice as many people and the way ahead was through CSIR technology. Pointing to the declining forest cover, he urged the scientists to come out with "nano materials" which do not use "wood" as base. While capital was used for production in the 20th century, knowledge would be the capital for growth in the 21st century. "We have to use knowledge to cooperate with the environment," he added. The Minister assured that the autonomy of scientific institutions such as IICT would be protected.

CSIR achievements

The Director-General, CSIR, R A Mashelkar, also referred to the impending WTO regulations and said the challenge ahead was to create new product patents by forging partnership with the industry. Lauding IICT, he said the CSIR and the country were proud of its achievements.

Mr. Sibal released IICT diamond jubilee souvenir brought out to mark the occasion and felicitated several former directors.

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