(a) the percentage of Gross Domestic Product spent on research and development work by the Government during the last three years;
(b) whether some organisations and scientists have lodged their protest about meagre expenditure on this work and demanded increase of the fund on this account;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) As per the latest available official statistics, the Research and Development expenditure as percentage of Gross National Product (GNP) at national level for the years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 was 0.72%, 0.77% and 0.81% respectively and the estimated figure for the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 are 0.87% and 0.94% respectively.
(b) to (d) No Sir. However, the Government envisages to raise the level of investment on Science and Technology to at least 2% by the end of 10th Plan with enhanced participation in R&D investment by industry. The 10th Plan Science and Technology outlay for scientific agencies has been increased from Rs. 12022.17 crores in 9th Plan to Rs. 25243.00 crores.