Question : State Science and Technology Programme

(a) whether the State Science and Technology (S&T) programmes have been implemented in all the States in the country;

(b) if so, the amount allocated and expenditure incurred during the last three years and the current year on establishing these State S&T programmes;

(c) whether there was a need for setting up S&T programme and if so, the manner in which the Ministry is assisting various States in developing their S&T Departments;

(d) the research support likely to be provided to these State Departments from the Centre after these Departments have been established at State level;

(e) the manner in which the Union Government monitors the progress of this project and the details of qualitative mechanisms devised so that funds sanctioned are properly utilised; and

(f) the reasons for delay in completion of the projects, if any, and the proposed timelines for the implementation of the programmes?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(SHRI Y.S. CHOWDHARY)

(a) Yes Madam, the Department of Science and Technology has supported State S&T Programme in all the States through Science and Technology Councils established for the purpose. However, the State Governments of J&K and Odisha have not submitted any proposal for support to the State S&T Council in their States. The main aim of the prograrmme is to facilitate the State S&T Councils to play a catalytic role of linking Centre and State for developing and implementing state specific S&T intervention, technology development and demonstration programme/projects.

(b) The total amount allocated and expenditure made by these State S&T Councils during the last three years and current year under State S&T Programme for their core manpower, minor office equipments and travel support etc. is given in the table below:
Rs. In Lakhs
Financial year 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18
Alloca-tion Expendi-ture Alloca-tion Expendi-ture Allocation Expendi-ture Allocation Expenditure
State S&T Councils in States
2312.16
2880.59
2366.89
2930.78
*3434.92
2673.53
1261.75
##
*Financial year 2016-17 grant also include Project Related grant i.e. Rs.7.90 Crore and support to three post of Consultants to State S&T councils
##The Utilization Certificate in respect of expenditure for the Financial year 2017-18 for the amount allocated to these Councils are due after 30.06.2018.

(c) & (d): The Department does not provide financial support to the S&T Departments in various States. However support is provided to the State S&T Councils established in different States.

(e) A National Committee comprising experts and members from various fields in Science and Technology including representatives from State S&T Councils monitor the progress of the projects and their qualitative evaluation. The Committee generally assesses the projects based on their scientific merits for funding.

(f) Generally the projects are sanctioned for a duration of two to three years. By and large projects are completed on time.

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