Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Office buildings of PPV&FRA and ASRB

New Delhi, July 08, 2011

Union Minister for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Shri Sharad Pawar, laid the Foundation Stone of new office buildings of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) and Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) in Pusa Campus. The Minister also complemented the works of both PPV&FRA and ASRB, expressing that with coming up of their own independent office buildings, these institutes will reach new heights in the service of nation.

Govt. of India has enacted the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act in 2001 to establish an effective system of plant variety protection and farmers’ rights. In order to implement the Act, the PPV&FRA has been established in Nov 2005. From a humble beginning the Authority has made good progress in implementing various provisions of the Act. The Authority is presently functioning from small rented office space in NASC complex. Keeping in view of its growing requirements, land has been allotted by the ICAR for its office complex.

The ASRB, ICAR, is presently functioning from Krishi Anushandhan Bhawan-I, Pusa campus, discharging the onerous responsibilities of recruiting scientific & other human resources for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) apart from advising the Council on personnel and related policies. The need for an independent office building of ASRB was being felt since long time.

Dr S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR; Dr CD Mayee, Chairman, ASRB; Dr PL Gautam, Chairperson, PPV&FRA; Prof M Mahadevappa, former Chairman, ASRB; Dr MV Rao, former VC, AP Agricultural University;  DDGs, Directors and senior officials were also present there