(a) Whether any project namely “U-Probe has been started in Uttaranchal for generation and collection of weather related figures and for students participation for its use;
(b) whether out of selected schools for above said “U-Probe†Project more than half of the schools are without equipments and hence the success of this plan is doubtful;
(c) if so, the reasons for slow progress of this scheme; and
(d) the time by which this scheme is likely to be completed?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) Yes, Sir. U-PROBE is an acronym for Participation of youth in Realtime / field Observations to Benefit the Education in Uttaranchal State. The U-PROBE project is being implemented in 100 senior secondary schools of Uttaranchal State.
(b) No Sir, there is no doubt in the success of this scheme. The installation of Meteorological instruments is to be completed in two Phases. In Phase-I, Meteorological Laboratories have been installed in 41 senior secondary schools / Government Inter Colleges. In Phase-II, the instruments fabrication / procurement for remaining 55 Meteorological Laboratories is in progress at India Meteorological Department. By September, 2005, these instruments will be dispatched to Government Inter College, Rishikesh for the schools in Garhwal region, and Govt. Inter College Haldwani for the schools in Kumaun region.
(c) Setting up meteorological laboratories and installation of instruments require specified ‘site criteria’ to be met and site preparations, which can only be done in a phased manner.
(d) The project is for five years duration and installation is likely to be completed in the current financial year.