Question : SETTING UP OF NATIONAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

(a) whether the Government has considered the recommendation of the National Knowledge Commission to set up a National Science and Social Science Foundation;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the proposed relationship of the foundation with the present network of research organisations in the field of science and social science; and

(d) the manner in which the Government proposes to avoid any likely overlapping of mandates of different organisations and the foundation?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING (SHRI M.V. RAJASEKHARAN)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY OF PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 495 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9.5.2007 REGARDING SETTING UP OF NATIONAL SCIENCE AND SOCIAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION BY SMT. KIRAN MAHESHWARI AND SHRI GIRDHARI LAL BHARGAVA:

(a) and (b): Government has received the Report of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) on ` National Science and Social Science Foundation` which has been sent to the Departments of Science & Technology and Higher Education for their comments.

(c): The objectives of the National Science and Social Science Foundation are:

$ Suggest policy initiatives to make India a leader in the creation and use of new knowledge in all areas of natural, physical, agricultural, health, and social sciences, with an emphasis on those areas which cut across traditional disciplines;

$ Ensure that science and technology are maximally used for betterment of the lives of our people;

$ Develop a scientific temper.

(d): The decision of the Government of India would take into consideration all relevant aspects.