RS passes bill on biotechnology centre

NEW DELHI: The first day of the monsoon session saw the Rajya Sabha passing a bill that will pave the way for setting up a regional centre for biotechnology. Besides

NEW DELHI: The first day of the monsoon session saw the Rajya Sabha passing a bill that will pave the way for setting up a regional centre for biotechnology. Besides working on research and development, the centre will train skilled manpower.

HT Image

The Lok Sabha had cleared the bill in April.

The government, through an executive order in April 2009, had established the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Training and Education at Faridabad.

With the Parliament clearing the bill, the institute will now be able give Masters and PhD degrees on the lines of the Indian Institute of Science.

Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan introduced the Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016, in the Rajya Sabha and it was passed by voice vote within half an hour.

Introducing the bill, Harsh Vardhan said it provided for establishing a regional biotechnology centre that will work on education, training and research, under the auspices of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the National Capital Region and declare it to be an institution of national importance.

“The centre will take up research and innovation as well as impart education and training in new areas of biotechnology at the interface of multiple disciplines of science, creating a hub of technology expertise,” the minister added.