(a) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to promote Science and Technology and the research work in the country during the Tenth Five Year Plan;
(b) whether the Government propose to encourage the students to opt for science subjects;
(c) if so, the steps taken in this regard;
(d) the sector-wise number of various science laboratories working in the country at present; and
(e) the measures being taken to increase the number of such laboratories?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT,MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 117 DUE FOR REPLY ON 25-02-2003 REGARDING `PROMOTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY`.
(a) The Government has recently announced a `Science and Technology Policy 2003` recognizing the changing context of the scientific enterprise, and to meet the present national needs in the new era of globalization. The Government is committed to the pursuit and promotion of science and technology and research work more vigorously in the 10th Five Year Plan. New Mission Mode programmes are being initiated in the areas of Seismology; Nano Materials Science & Technology; Drugs & Pharmaceuticals; Disaster Management support programme for North East; Advanced Heavy Water Reactor and Thorium Utilisation; Accelerator Driven Sub-Critical Systems; Genomics; New generation vaccines; Bioresource Characterization and Bio-fuels; Leather processing technology; Traditional Knowledge Digital Library; Microwave electron tube technologies; Second Permanent Station in Antarctica; Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management, Technology Demonstration of Ocean Energy Conversion Plant. The plan allocations for the 10th Five Year Plan for all the S&T departments have been virtually doubled.
(b) & (c) The Government has already initiated various steps to attract and encourage young students towards a career in basic sciences. The Government has started the Kishore Vaigyanik Prothsahan Yojana (KVPY), Swarnajayanti Fellowships for basic research, Interaction of Students with Noble Laureates, Special research schemes for Young Scientists and Women Scientists, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowships for Young Scientists, CSIR programme for Youth Leadership in Sciences (CPYLS), Indian Science Olympiad Programme, Biotechnology Fellowships and Associateship and other fellowship programmes.
(d) & (e) There are around 2660 science research laboratories in the country under Central and State sector and the Industry sector. These include 430 national laboratories under various Central Government Departments/ agencies; around 770 laboratories in the State sector and around 1460 research & development centres in the industrial sector, both public and private. The Government has adopted a concerted strategy to infuse new dynamism in the existing science and technology institutions by substantially strengthening them and giving them full autonomy and flexibility. From time to time, new science laboratories are also established in advanced areas of science & technology, after a careful review.