The Hindu : National : Nod for takeover of biotech centre

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Friday, Aug 03, 2007
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Nod for takeover of biotech centre

Special Correspondent

Move to introduce amendment to the Aircraft Act
Vocational training improvement project cleared

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the long-pending proposal for takeover of the Thiruvananthapuram-based Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology as an autonomous institution under the administrative control of the Department of Biotechnology .

Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Cabinet spokesperson Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the decision would give further impetus to the working of the centre, known for its successes in the area of translational research.

It has been working on the concepts of “bench to bedside,” where laboratory findings are converted to healthcare products and “lab to land,” where experimental findings on improved spices and medicinal plants are taken to the farmers.

Since 1992, successive Governments in Kerala have been requesting the Centre to take over the centre on the ground that they were not in a position to provide the level of funding it required.

Main objective

Mr. Dasmunsi said the main objective of the takeover was to promote the institute as a national research centre for bio-drug discovery programmes based on the traditional systems of medicines prevalent in Kerala. It was also for developing human resources in biotechnology by offering doctoral programmes and short-term course for post-graduates in science, medicine and engineering.

Sixth Pay Commission

The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to expand the scope of the terms of reference of the Sixth Pay Commission to include a review of the salaries of Supreme Court employees.

It decided to introduce an amendment to the Aircraft Act to make it more effective.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs met on Thursday and approved a World Bank-aided vocational training improvement project at a cost of Rs.1,581 crore. The project would involve upgrading of 400 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with the full participation of the industry, from development of curriculum to trade testing, and their empowerment with greater flexibility and reforms in administrative procedure.

The Centre would bear 75 per cent of the cost, and the States the balance 25 per cent, except in north-east and Sikkim, where the ratio will be 90:10. In effect, the Centre’s share for the project would be Rs.1,231 crore and the States’ Rs.350 crore.

Jute packaging

The CCEA also gave its nod for continuation of the policy on the use of jute in packaging for 2007-08.

Consequently, bulk quantities of foodgrains and sugar have to continue to be entirely packed in jute. Small consumer packs of 25 kg and below, packages for exports and sugar fortified with vitamins would be exempt from the policy.

Doping in sports

As part of an exercise to improve the country’s image in the world of sports, the Cabinet approved the ratification of the International Convention against doping in sports. The Convention was adopted at the 33rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) held in Paris on October 19, 2005.

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