Ranchi: The Ranchi Science Centre in Chiroundi situated at the capital’s outskirts is set to host the state’s first Patent Facilitation (information) Centre soon after the Jharkhand Council on Science and Technology (JCT), under the department of higher and technical education, has initiated steps in this regard.Talking to TOI on Sunday, Raghuvansh Mani , technical officer at JCT who is handling this project, said they have begun scouting for a qualified agency who will provide consultancy services for this mission and help in setting the same. Mani said, “We have floated an expression of interest (EOIs) in this regard to evince proposals from interested parties. Authorities have zeroed in on a site within the Ranchi Science Centre premises to house this facility.”On the purpose behind patent facilitation centre, Mani said, “The idea behind rolling out this project is manifold. It is to create awareness about Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), enable inventors with proper patent searchers, analyse existing information regarding already available patents worldwide on regular basis so that it could be used for suggesting research and development programmes for institution among others.” “This apart, once the patent centre comes up, it will also help bonafide inventors, scientists and also aspiring minds with all aspects of patenting their inventions,” he added.He said Jharkhand doesn’t have any outfit/outlet related to patenting so far — be it at education institutions or public sector undertakings here engaged in research activities. As a result, information and awareness regarding this subject among public is non-existent. On the contrary, several other states like Chhattisgarh, Uttrakhand, Madhya Pradesh among others have their own cells for all needs related to patents.“Not that we (state) doesn’t have research and invention oriented minds but only due to lack of proper platform to hone those skills in want of knowledge and support, all those intellectual properties tend to remain unexplored or wasted,” Mani said, adding that as per the eligibility norms set, they are aiming to hire an agency having an experience of at least five years in handling patent related projects commissioned directly or indirectly with government of India. The agency will initially be hired over a period of one year.While the exact budget is yet to be chalked for setting up of patent facilitation centre, but the official said roughly they have estimated recurring expenses of around Rs 40 lakh annually. Simultaneously, officials are also in the process of contacting other states where similar facilities exist to take the project forward.“We are now in the process of striking contacts with other states also to understand how patent cells function there to be able to choose an outsourced partner in a much informed manner,” said Mani.

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