Question : RESEARCH CONTRACTS

(a) whether the Government awards research contracts to consultants, NGOs, Academics and Research Organisations, etc.;

(b)if so, the details of the research contracts alongwith the names of the organisations who were awarded contracts during each of the last three years and its progress;

(c) whether the research contracts are pasted on the website of the Ministry;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the details of internal process in deciding the topics of these research contracts;

(f) whether the research contracts awarded through a competitive bidding process;

(g) if so, the criteria adopted for the competitive bidding process; and

(h) if not, the sanctity of the award process?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES AND AGRO & RURAL INDUSTRIES (SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)

(a) Under the scheme of ‘Surveys, Studies and Policy Research’, surveys / studies are assigned to academic/research/professional organisations of repute, for collecting reliable data on various aspects of micro, small and medium enterprises for the purpose of policy research.

(b) The details of surveys/studies awarded during the last three years along with the names of organisations, are given in a statement as annexure.

(c)to(h)In order to streamline the process of selecting the topics for surveys/studies and awarding of contracts on the basis of technical and financial bids, the operational guidelines for the scheme of Surveys, Studies and Policy Research were revised in December, 2005.Under the revised guidelines, operation of the scheme is overseen by a Steering Committee headed by Secretary, Ministries of Small Scale Industries and Agro & Rural Industries. The Steering Committee decides the subjects of surveys, studies etc. to be undertaken/assigned during the year and also approves a panel of experts and academic/research/ professional organisations of repute, based on their expertise and experience in the field of micro, small and medium enterprises, which may be invited to submit technical and financial bids for the proposed surveys / studies. On evaluation of technical and financial bids, surveys/ studies are assigned to the agencies concerned. The notice for inviting technical and financial bids are not placed on the website, because the surveys/studies are assigned through a process of limited tender by inviting technical and financial bids from the approved panel of experts / organisations.