GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 651
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2007

BRAIN-DRAIN OF SCIENCE STUDENTS

651. SHRI HANSRAJ G. AHIR:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:

(a) whether non-availability of scientific infrastructure is the main reason of the brain drain of highly educated science students from the country; and

(b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide adequate infrastructure for bringing improvement in the field of science in the country?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) & (b): No. Sir. It may be one of the many reasons on this subject. However, during the year 2000 Government of India through the Department of Science & Technology has initiated a new scheme "Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST)" for strengthening of research infrastructure in science, engineering and technology departments of universities and related academic institutions. Under this program, so far more than 950 science, engineering and technology departments have been supported in about 250 universities & academic institutions with an overall investment of more than Rs 500 crores.