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The Tamil Nadu Government, which has revived its focus on attracting investments in the bio-technology industry, has initiated consultations with the industry to revamp its bio-tech policy.
The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr M.K. Stalin, said the draft of the new policy was discussed at the Tamil Nadu Manufacturing Competitiveness Council on January 21. The policy, with innovative features, will assist in the growth of the industry in the State.
Ideal location
The availability of skilled manpower and strong manufacturing tradition in the State make it an ideal location for bio-technology research and development (R&D) and industry.
The bio-tech infrastructure facility, Ticel biotech park, has been expanded at a cost of Rs 150 crore, with the first phase — set up at a cost of Rs 50 crore — fully occupied.
The expanded facility will start operations by the end of the year and generate jobs for over 1,500 scientists.
The State has identified over 300 acres near Mamallapuram to set up a marine bio-tech park. A Medicinal Plant Bio-tech Park will also be set up soon, he said.
The State was among the earliest to announce a bio-tech policy in 2000, but several States have marched ahead with separate policies and have benefited by attracting considerable investment from within India and outside, he said, addressing an industry round table on bio-technology, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, to provide inputs to the policy.
Mr Debendranath Sarangi, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, said that locations for new bio-technology parks, to provide infrastructure for the industry, are being identified. The Queensland University of Australia has evinced interest in setting up a research centre here and Government-level discussions were on, he said.
The Industries Secretary, Mr Rajeev Ranjan, said that the policy provides for the creation of an independent bio-technology board and a committee that would be able to address the needs of the industry.
Mr P.M. Murali, Managing Director, Evolva Biotech, who heads the CII panel on bio-technology, said that the Rs 14,000-crore industry in India, is set to grow five times by 2015.
Industry presence
Employment generation will grow ten times by 2020, against over one lakh working in the sector now.
Maharashtra accounts for nearly a third of the industry presence, with Karnataka housing about 20 per cent, Andhra Pradesh and NCR about 15 per cent each, Gujarat 8 per cent, and the other States together account for about 7 per cent.
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