Question : Research and Development in Private Sector

(a) whether the Government has identified areas where private sector companies are in a better position to conduct scientific research and development and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has any plans to offer tax incentives, loans, procurement commitments, or any other measures as incentives for private sector companies to conduct research on such target areas and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has considered commercializing inventions which result from Government-aided private sector research and development ventures and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to double the gross expenditure in research and development every five years as per the policy objectives of the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) Yes, Sir. New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) program of CSIR has identified areas viz. Agriculture & Plant Biotechnology, General Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Materials, Information and Communication Technology and Energy for conducting research. Considering the problems posed by corona pandemic, NMITLI called for R&D proposals on COVID-19 interventions. Six projects are under implementation. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a not-for-profit Section 8- PSU under DBT undertake strategic research & innovation in the areas of affordable health care and wellness, agriculture, food and nutritional security, environmental safety, clean energy, biofuel and bio-manufacturing. translating knowledge into technology led affordable and globally competent product development.

(b) Under NMITLI program of CSIR, soft loan @3% interest is being provided to industry to carry out research and development and the partnering public institutions are provided grant-in-aid. BIRAC, a not for profit section 8 company under DBT offers several funding schemes, programs to facilitate biotech startups, medium and large scale companies. It has funded 1000+ entrepreneurs and Startups so far. It also supports setting up of incubation centres in both public and private sector. DBT has also set up a dedicated Make in India Cell for Biotechnology at BIRAC. Make in India Cell, under the close monitoring of Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), has introduced and prioritized multiple initiatives including Startup India to promote innovation, capacity building, strategic growth in Industrial sector, foreign direct investment, promotion for technology adoption, manufacturing, Intellectual Property rights, employment generation and others. The Make In India Cell at BIRAC connects with stakeholders and provides critical inputs for Tax/ Fiscal incentives to Industry. It also operates Fund of Funds – AcE to support biotech startups by partnering with SEBI registered Venture Funds. BioAngels initiative is also to attract participation of private equity in biotech sector. A dedicated portal ‘Biotech Showcase Portal’ showcasing the complete profile of innovative products developed by biotech start-ups.

(c) BIRAC supports the startups across the value chain of product development i.e. from proof of concept (PoC) to commercialization of the innovative technologies. It also provides assistance for field validation of technologies in the Test Beds in order to promote public procurement working at the State level. The organization has released catalogues and compendium to promote the commercialization of innovative products. These booklets give complete information about the product, ranging from its market price, IP Status, awards to product positioning and its relevancy in National & International Market.

(d) The draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020 is under consideration.
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