The Central Institute will be established at a total estimated cost of Rs. 380 crores for five years with effect from 2008-2009 to 2012-13 as an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology.

It will have a major role in implementing relevant biotechnology programmes in the State and generating the required human resource for need based research in the areas of Agriculture biotechnology, Food Science and Technology and Nutritional Science & Technology so as to address the problems of the state and the country.

The Union Cabinet also gave its approval for establishment of Bioprocessing Unit (BPU) in Knowledge City at Mohali. (ANI)