New Delhi: The Union government after already supporting seven centres for Nano Technology in various institutions within the country is now proposing to set up an independent institute of Nano Science and Technology at Mohali.

It also proposes to support a centre for Nano Science and Technology as part of an existing institute in Bangalore, which will focus on research on novel nano-materials.

"This centre will be set up by May 2010. The proposed budget for this centre is Rs.113 crore for the remaining period of the XI Plan. However, no funds have been released so far, as the project is yet to receive sanction of the government," stated Prithviraj Chavan, the Minister of State (I/C) for Science and Technology in the Lok Sabha recently.