145;Institutions like NIScs key to future146;

Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal has said that biotechnology BT policies for health and agriculture are being worked out. 8216;8216;The BT policy for health will be announced in January 2005,8217;8217; he said, adding that the same for agriculture would take some time.

The Minister also said he is in favour of more institutions like the proposed National Institute of Sciences NIScs for creating an inverted pyramid structure, where more top-class scientists are produced. 8216;8216;We need even more such institutions like NIScs considering innovation and technology will be the key to all development in the future,8217;8217; he added.

Sibal was talking to reporters at the National Chemical Laboratory NCL here on Tuesday as part of his two-day familiarisation visit to research and development R038;D institutions under his Ministry. 8216;8216;At present, the R038;D investment is a low 0.9 per cent of the GDP when it should be at least two per cent,8217;8217; the minister said.