Chennai: The Tamil Nadu (TN) Government is to soon come out with an exclusive biotechnology policy, accepting the recommendations of a committee headed by eminent agricultural scientist, MS Swaminathan.The team today called on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at the secretariat and submitted its recommendations to the government.An official press release said here that the committee had recommended, among other things, establishment of a TN Biotechnology Board to get Financial and other technical assistance.
Standing committees may be appointed for bioinformatics and genomics. A biotechnology valley, on the lines of the silicon valley, could be set up in Mamallapuram-Kalpakkam, Mandapam-Tuticorin and Madurai-Kodaikanal areas. A biotechnology incubator park could be set up near Chennai.
It also recommended setting up of a bioinformatics and genomics centre near TIDEL park in the city. A biotechnology industrial corridor should also be set up.
The panel also recommended creation of a fund with an initial corpus of Rs 30 crore for acquiring technical knowhow in biotechnology. In the next three years, a total of Rs 100 crore would be required for the purpose, the release added.
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