Regional Centre on Biotechnology to be set up in Sikkim

GANGTOK, December 5 (IPR): State Science & Technology minister Bhim Dhungel, met Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Prithvi Raj Chauhan in Delhi on November 28 during general body meeting of the Institute of Bio Resources & Sustainable Development, Imphal.

During the meeting it was formally announced that a regional centre of Institute of Bio Resources & Sustainable Development will be set up soon in Sikkim during current financially year itself near Sikkim Science Centre, Marchok. The total funds to the tune of nearly Rs. 10 crores will be provided by Department of Bio-Technology, Government of India, for setting of this centre in a phased manner during next five years.

This centre will help in use of Bio-Technology for Development of various Bio Resources of Sikkim. The centre will carry out applied research and extension of various technologies in the field of bio fertilizer, bio pesticides and tissue culture technology.

The Union Minister has said that the proposed centre should cater the needs for improving livelihood condition of the local people by transferring appropriate Technologies.

Dhungel informed the Union Minister about richness of bio-diversity of Sikkim and assured him that State government will provide all possible help in setting up of the proposed regional centre. He has also informed that to start with, temporally existing quarters near Sikkim Science Centre will be provided for setting of this regional centre.

M.L.Arawatia, secretary, Science & Technology department had accompanied the Minister during the meeting.