Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur is providing vital support to Indian Armed Forces deployed in North Eastern region. Following are some of the significant products developed by DRL, Tezpur:
· lron Removal Unit (IRU)
· De-arsenification Unit
· DRDO Water testing kit
· DRDO Bio toilet
· High SPF Sunscreen cream
· Herbal room freshener cum mosquito repellent etc.
· Herbal mosquito repellant vaporizer
· Larvicidal floating tablet.
All the work executed in lab is to enrich the Armed Forces and local people. Details of some of the extremely beneficial products along with their prices are as follows:
| S No | Product | Price/Unit (in Rs) |
| 1. | lron Removal Unit (300 L/hr) | 53,400/- |
| 2. | Water testing kit | 16,500/- |
| 3. | Bio toilet for plain areas | 20,000/- to 80,000/- |
| 4. | Bio toilet for low temperature areas | 75,000/- to 3,50,000/- |
Presently held manpower of DRL, Tezpur, grade-wise, is given below:
| S No | Cadre | RE | Held |
| 1. | DRDS | 22 | 21 |
| 2. | DRTC | 34 | 21 |
| 3. | ADMIN | 11 | 09 |
| 4. | ALLIED | 24 | 18 |
| TOTAL | 91 | 69 |
DRDO is a Central Government Organisation which works under Ministry of Defence. Therefore, no zonal and region wise recruitment is done in DRDO for all grades. In DRDO, recruitment is done centrally through Recruitment and Assessment Centre (RAC) and Centre for Personnel Talent Management (CEPTAM). However, Research Associates (RA) and Research Fellows (RF) are recruited based on lab requirements through advertisement. In 2021, 04 Research Associates (RA) and 08 Research Fellows (RF) were recruited, out of them 01 RA and 03 RFs, respectively, are from NE states.
Following steps are being taken in order to make the lab more impactful and effective:
· Emphasis has been given for surveillance and monitoring of the vectors and vector borne diseases in NE India and development of products for their management.
· DRL, Tezpur has recently been entrusted with additional mandate to develop products and technologies, specific for troops engaged in Jungle Operations in the NE region.
· Thrust has been given to include NGOs and local civil bodies for carrying out activities for development of border areas in NE region through the use of modern agricultural practices.
· Local entrepreneurs and industries are being encouraged for the development of DRL products and technologies, which are useful for NE region.
· Activities have been initiated for wider implementation of Bio toilet technology by PHEs under various state governments in the NE region.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Birendra Prasad Baishya in Rajya Sabha on February 07, 2022.
