**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response to Starred Question No. 146 in Lok Sabha regarding the infrastructure of ICAR-NISST, to be answered on February 10th, 2026. It addresses concerns about the condition of the ICAR-NISST building and details steps being taken to develop and upgrade the infrastructure. Key dates include the completion targets for ongoing construction and renovation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Building Condition and Maintenance:**
* The ICAR-NISST building, originally constructed in 1988-89 and taken over by ICAR in 2004, is in safe and workable condition.
* Regular repairs and maintenance are performed to ensure safety and preservation of the building.
* Renovations follow Central Public Works Department (CPWD) standards.
* **Construction and Renovation Projects:**
* The Seed Quality Testing Laboratory and Seed Godown are additions made after 2013.
* Vertical expansion of the Seed Quality Testing Laboratory is underway at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.28 crores, with completion targeted for October 2026.
* Renovation of the Conference Hall is also in progress, with an expected expenditure of Rs. 51.98 lakhs and a targeted completion of March 2026.
* **Financial Allocation:**
* Rs. 10.994 crores was allocated to ICAR-NISST under the capital head during 2021-22 to 2025-26, including Rs. 3.02 crores for building and original works.
* Out of the proposed Rs. 11.2 crores under the capital head during 2026-27 to 2030-31, Rs. 5.4 crores has been earmarked for building and original works.
**Impact Analysis**
**ICAR-NISST Staff and Trainees**
* **Impact:** Assured of the building's safety and habitability due to ongoing maintenance and renovations.
* **Action Required:** N/A
**Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing the maintenance, renovations, and upgrades to ICAR-NISST.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor and manage the ongoing construction and renovation projects to meet the targeted completion dates.
**Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare**
* **Impact:** Providing financial support for the development and upgradation of infrastructure at ICAR-NISST.
* **Action Required:** Continue to allocate funds for the infrastructure development of ICAR-NISST to meet the targets set.
Key Entities Referenced
ICAR-National Institute of Seed Science & Technology (ICAR-NISST): The central subject of the question, concerning its infrastructure development.
Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 146: The parliamentary question that initiated this information.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The primary ministry responsible for the subject matter of the question.
Mau: Location of ICAR-NISST, central to understanding applicability.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): Parent organization of ICAR-NISST.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 146
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026
INFRASTRUCTURE OF ICAR-NISST
*146. SHRI RAJEEV RAI:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान
कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that ICAR–National Institute of Seed Science & Technology
(ICAR-NISST), Mau, is functioning in a dilapidated building posing a threat to the life of
trainee engineers and faculty staff;
(b) if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government for development of the
dilapidated building of ICAR-NISST;
(c) the time by which the development work is likely to be completed; and
(d) whether the Government is considering to upgrade the infrastructure of the
ICAR-NISST and if so, the amount allocated by the Government for the upgradation of
infrastructure of ICAR-NISST?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृषि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
********
1STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 146 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2026 REGARDING
“INFRASTRUCTURE OF ICAR-NISST”
(a) to (c): ICAR-National Institute of Seed Science & Technology (ICAR-NISST), Mau
occupied the building which was earlier constructed during 1988-89 for the National
Institute of Sugarcane & Sugar Technology under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food
and Public Distribution, Govt. of India and taken over by Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) during 2004, is in fully safe and workable condition. Regular repairs
and maintenance work of the building is undertaken to keep, restore or improve the
facilities of the building, ensuring safety of the occupants or the public at large, for
preserving the building and services in good operating and habitable conditions and is
regularly renovated following the specifications and standards of the Central Public
Works Department (CPWD).
The Seed Quality Testing Laboratory and Seed Godown are the additions after
2013 to the existing building, and this Laboratory is being expanded vertically for the
construction of the first floor as per the norms of CPWD at the estimated cost of Rs.1.28
crores with completion date of October 2026. In addition, the Conference Hall of the
Institute is also being renovated with total expected expenditure of Rs. 51.98 lakhs with
targeted completion of March 2026.
In the same premises, another premier institute of ICAR viz., ICAR - National
Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (ICAR- NBAIM), Mau is also
functioning in another portion of the building since 2004.
(d): Yes, Rs. 10.994 crores were allocated to ICAR-NISST, Mau under capital head
during 2021 - 22 to 2025 - 26, including Rs. 3.02 crores for building and original works.
Moreover, out of Rs. 11.2 crores proposed under the capital head during 2026-27 to
2030-31 for ICAR-NISST, Mau a total of Rs. 5.4 crores have been earmarked for building
and original works.
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