The Ministry of Science & Technology is to set up a first-of-its-kind “Centre of Excellence” in the Northeast.The prestigious project for establishing “Centre for Bio-Resources and Sustainable Development as a Centre of Excellence” was sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology and is complete for formal inauguration shortly. The exact location of the project is at Kimin, district Papum Pare in Arunachal Pradesh and the construction of the new building as well other infrastructure has been completed. Built at a cost of nearly Rs. 50 crores, the funding agency is the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.A delegation from Arunachal Pradesh led by Tapir Gao, Senior Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, NabamRebia, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and BamangMangha, Chairman of Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology today called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and thanked on their behalf as well as on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and the people of the entire North Eastern Region in general.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not only given high priority to Northeast but has also called for utilising latest technology for infrastructural development and value addition to the ongoing projects. Therefore, for this purpose, it is important that the region should have its own Technology Resource Centres and the proposed Centre of Excellence is aimed to address this objective.During the Modi government, the Minister said, many projects have been pushed forward and undertaken at an expeditious pace through optimum utilisation of technologies of different nature, including the Space Technology and Satellite Imaging.Dr Jitendra Singh said, at one point of time, there were allegations and counter-allegations regarding misappropriation of funds. But now, for example, we have in place a mechanism to obtain Utilization Certificates through Satellite Imaging and to speed up the process of sanctioning projects through e-Office and other electronic means.With the setting up of the Bio-Resource Centre by the Department of Biotechnology, said Dr Jitendra Singh, the entire North Eastern Region will be able to use its fruit and organic food potential to the maximum extent. Besides, this will also help in exploring many vast areas and to find hitherto lesser known or unknown new species including diverse habitats and diverse flora. This will have a bearing on improving the cultural, social and economic status of the people of the entire North Eastern Region.