(a) whether the Government has unveiled a 7 point action plan on desalination unit in
some States proposed to be implemented during the next 12 months;
(b) if so, the salient features thereof;
(c) whether the Government has also creating an autonomous board of science and
engineering research, which will create a pool of 1,000 scientific positions for young
researchers in India and abroad; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the modalities worked out so far in this regard?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT(KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) & (d) There is a proposal for creating an autonomous Board for Science and
Engineering Research. A separate proposal for 1000 scientific research positions is in
the initial stages of preparation. The Board is expected to promote research in frontier
areas of science and engineering with necessary autonomy and flexibilities in operation
of funding mechanisms. The Government, in the meantime, has already instituted Ramanujan
Fellowships which are meant for brilliant scientists and engineers from all over the
world to take up scientific research positions in India. The duration of the fellowship
will be initially for 5 years. The Ramanujam Fellows shall receive Rs. 50,000/- p.m. as
fellowships for the first 3 years and Rs.60,000/- p.m. during the last two years. Each
fellow shall also receive an annual contingency grant of Rs.5 lakh per year.