Biotech parks in Rajasthan

Rajasthan government proposes to set up three biotech parks in the state to facilitate industrial exploitation of its biological diversity and rich genetic pool. 

The state's apex industrial development organization, Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation (RIICO), would develop three biotech parks at Sitapura in Jaipur, Boranada in Jodhpur and Sotanala on national highway-8 near Behror (Alwar), sources informed.

The parks would be developed on an area of 30 acre and quality infrastructure such as power, telecom, roads, water supply and drainage would be provided. 

RIICO has already announced a special package for major as well as general biotech and bioinformatics companies. The state government has also announced exemption from stamp duty for registration of land as well as from payment of land building tax for bio-tech units in the designated biotech parks. The state's biotechnology policy is also under preparation.

The state has taken rapid steps in the agriculture sector and occupies an important place among the agriculturally advanced states of the country. Rajasthan has great potential to create immense industrial activity in biotechnology and modern biotech products. 

The Infrastructure Development Committee recently approved special land package for attracting bio technology and bioinformatics industries in Rajasthan. Under this land allotment up to 10 acres would be made at 40 percent of prevailing industrial rate in specially designated biotechnology zones. 

General biotechnology and bioinformatics units proposed to be set up by any entrepreneur would be allotted land upto five acres in a specially designated zones and 40 percent upfront discount on prevailing industrial rate shall be allowed provided that the applicant envisages a minimum fixed investment of Rs 15 lakh per 1,000 sq mt of land allotted to it within a period of five years. The unit may also be given additional discount of 10 percent if it commences commercial production within three years from the date of allotment of land to general biotechnology and bioinformatics companies.

Land up to five acres for advanced biotechnology and bioinformatics institutes, offering M Tech, M Sc, B Sc or equivalent courses in this field only may be allotted in specially designated biotechnology and bioinformatics zones at 50 percent of prevailing industrial rate. 

The institutes shall commence the operation within three years of allotment of land and shall make minimum fixed investment of Rs 5 crore within five years. Other concessions which have been proposed are at par with concessions given by the state government for the IT industry.

Anil Sharma