In a historic decision , the central government has approved the subsuming of 14 autonomous institutions of the Department of Biotechnology ( DBT ) to create one apex autonomous body – Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council ( BRIC ). The move is aimed at achieving centralized and unified governance to maximize impact of biotech research .
The DBT under the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for administrating development and commercialization in the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India . Set up in 1986 , it has been at the helm of all the policy decisions regarding the biotech startups , industry , academia and other related segments .
While chairing the meeting of the Societies of Autonomous Institutions of DBT , the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology , Dr Jitendra Singh informed about the decision in the interest of convenient functioning , cost-effectiveness and integrated working . As per Dr Singh , the decision was taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’ s vision of “ minimum government , maximum governance ” and his call for greater integration of ideas and institutions for cost-cutting and effective output .
The minister explained that the restructuring of DBT institutes is being carried out with a larger goal to enhance the scientific character and science outcomes at the institutes by building research
synergies , new education programs in line with National Education Policy , improving human resource structures across cadres and effective management and monetization of assets emanating from the research being carried out .
The Minister hoped that BRIC will build on the foundations developed at the DBT institutions to foster synergies while maintaining their distinct research mandates . “ With an emphasis on interdisciplinary interactions that cut across institutional boundaries , BRIC institutes will undertake cutting edge research addressing national priorities ,” the Minister added .
As per sources , the plan to merge these 14 institutions into one autonomous body was in the pipeline for the past three years but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed its execution . Meanwhile , there have been mixed reactions to the decision . While a few prominent voices have supported the decision , others are skeptical .
“ Great reform ! Expect more focus , sense of purpose and mission mode operations from DBT !,” said Dr Rakesh Mishra , Director , Tata Institute for Genetics and Society ( TIGS ).
A director of the leading biotech institute welcomed the move and expressed hope that it will encourage collective decisionmaking . “ We have been expecting it for a while now . Given the scale of work that would be required to reach the big ambitious target of US $ 500 billion in the next decade , we need to create better synergy between institutes . No
The DBT under the Ministry of Science and Technology is responsible for administrating development and commercialization in the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India .
need to look at the decision negatively ,” he added .
Reacting to the decision , Prof . Anil Gupta , Founder , Honey Bee Network said , “ Time will tell whether trade off between autonomy and agency can best be resolved through centralized or decentralized management , let the council synergize and let each institute sign a MoU with council as attempted among navratna PSU . A system that has delivered need not be fixed .”
A leading industry voice told BioVoice e-Magazine that he is not sure whether the decision has been made taking the majority view in consideration . “ Most of the institutes have been autonomous and doing just fine . I don ’ t understand the need for such a decision where the decisions would most probably be made but the central committee instead of the directors of the respective institutes . It would encourage bureaucracy instead of promoting autonomy . We will know the nature of the decision when we read the finer blueprint .”
38
BioVoiceNews | December 2022