Monitorable Targets For 11 - Punjab State Planning Board

FOOD, CIVIL SUPPLIES AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
117. There has been a record procurement of 110 lac MT of wheat during Rabi 2009.
138 lac MT of paddy was procured in Kharif 2009. The State Government realized that the
scope and coverage of PDS was limited and launched an Atta-Dal Scheme of its own in 2007 to
provide subsidized wheat and pulses to 14.55 lac poor families. Wheat and pulses are provided
at Rs.4/- per kg and Rs.20/- per kg respectively subject to a limit of 25 kg of wheat and 2.5 kg of
pulses per family per month. The annual subsidy amounts to Rs.619 crore. We are glad that
Government of India is proposing to bring reforms in the Public Distribution System and
provide a statutory basis for food security to all through the proposed National Food Security
Act and launch a similar scheme for the poor.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
118. As a result of efforts of Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Union
Cabinet approved the setting up of India’s first Agri-Food Biotechnology Cluster in Knowledge
City, Sector-81, Mohali. The cluster would comprise National Agri-Food Biotechnology
Institute (NABI) and Bioprocessing Unit (BPU) to be set up at a cost of Rs 380.00 crore and
Agri-Food Biotechnology park to be set up in Public-Private Partnership for promotion of
biotechnology industry. The setting up of Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST) in
Knowledge City, Mohali at a cost of Rs 142.00 crore has also been approved by the Union
Cabinet. A pioneering project has been taken up for promotion of simple low cost technology
for preparation and application of Neem based biopesticide. These prestigious institutions and
centres would be of great help to the students of Punjab and the region.
119. A Science City has been set up at Kapurthala at a cost of Rs. 100 Cr. It is a big
draw among the school students. The Punjab State Council for Science and Technology has
developed and transferred technologies for control of air and water pollution for brick kilns, rice
shellers, cupola furnaces and electroplating units. The Council is providing technical support
to State Govt. on issues related to Science, Technology & Environment. It is taking up various
programmes for popularization of science and awareness of environment amongst students,
teachers and general public. It is taking up programmes for conservation of environment,
especially wetlands. Nangal lake has been nominated as wetland of national importance.
Environment related data is also collected, collated and made available to public through reports
and website. Several biotech based projects are also being implemented besides programmes to
promote Intellectual Property Rights. Besides, the Punjab Biodiversity Board has also been
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