(a) whether the Government proposes to encourage doing research and development in India as to ease of doing business;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of measures taken by the Government to achieve the said goal in the country;
(d) whether the Government has made any significant progress in this direction till date; and
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI.Y. S. CHOWDARY)
(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Government has created a conducive environment for doing research and development in the country so as to ease of doing business. Several measures have been put in place in the research funding mechanisms to curtail excessive regulations and lengthy procedures. The level of R&D in the country has been raised with the establishment of several new Indian Institute of Technology’s (IITs), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and Central Universities by providing higher degree of academic freedom and autonomy. The Science and Engineering Research Board, a Statutory body, established with the purpose of de-bureaucratizing the science sector has been strengthened to evolve innovative funding schemes and provide quick support to needy scientists. The levels of peer review and approval mechanisms has been re-structured to make the funding process quick with known yardsticks of measurements. Project Investigators were provided operational flexibility through rationalization of budget heads. Steps were taken to build e-based management systems to bring more transparency in the processes, efficiency and speed of service delivery.
(d) & (e): Most of the Extramural (EMR) research funding mechanisms of the Ministry of Science and Technology are made online. The system enables online submission of proposals by the Project Investigators, evaluation of proposals by the peer reviewers and technical committee, financial sanction, monitoring and its overall management. All financial transactions by the Ministry to grantee institutions / investigators are on Real Time Gross Settlement systems (RTGS) curtailing delay between decision and delivery of services. Steps have been taken to strengthen the State Science and Technology Councils in partnership with States to make the investment in science broad based and efficient.
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