To spread the benefits of biotechnology across the country and to be competitive in the global market, the biotechnology industry has sought streamlining and upgradation of the regulatory mechanism and seek duty waiver on the import of biomaterials.

The industry has also sought speedy implementation of the Mashelkar and Swaminathan task force reports. It wants the efforts to promote linkages between industry and academia through sops.

Speakers at Biospectrum’s panel discussion held on 20 th December 2005 in Bangalore on ‘Biotech Industry’s Demands to the Finance Minister for the Union Budget’ also highlighted the substandard biotech education available in the country and urged more fund infusion into research institutes for their upgradation.

K K Narayana of Metahelix suggested that central subsidy be given to states to promote transgenic crops. He also urged the government to implement the Plant Varieties Protection and Farmers Rights Act of 2002.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw of Biocon said that special economic zone status linked to acreage is not suited for the biotech sector. Instead, the government should announce a policy on special status based on the quantum of investment and employment generation potential.

Since many biotech companies are entering global markets with unique products, the government should emphasize auditing and accreditation by its regulatory departments, she added.

Shama Bhat of Bhat Biotech urged the government to cut the duty on biomaterials and said that the Indian diagnostic industry can take on Chinese and Korean manufacturers who are selling kits cheaper than the raw material cost only if import duty is reduced.

Ashok Kolasker, vice chancellor of Pune University, pointed out that in the last 10 years the number of educated has been growing at 20-22 per cent. Human resources creation for the sector is of utmost importance. Biotech education should be outside the ambit of the AICTE for it only checks infrastructure rather than the quality of education.

(www.business-standard.com)