Rajya Sabha

The Government of India is in the process of setting up of a regulatory authority for biotechnology product and processes. The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology has been entrusted to act as the nodal agency to establish “National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority”(NBRA) through an act of Parliament. Accordingly, a consultative group of experts have prepared draft establishment plan of NBRA and the proposed Bill. Both the draft documents were put in public domain for review and comments. Several consultative meetings were held with concerned stakeholders representing farmers and consumer’s organizations, industry, legal experts, media and academia/ scientists from research institutions/universities. State Governments were also consulted for their feedback. An Interdisciplinary and Inter-ministerial Advisory Committee was also constituted to oversee and advise on all matters related to drafting, reviewing the comments of experts and stakeholders as well as preparing final documents. The governmental process of inter-ministerial consultation has been completed for obtaining necessary approvals for the NBR Bill by the Cabinet and subsequently the Parliament as per procedure.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences (Independent charge), PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a written reply to a question by Shri T.T.V. Dhinakaran in the Rajya Sabha today.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : July 23, 2009