GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 145
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19-11-2007

STIMULATING THE DEMAND FOR INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS

145 MS. MABEL REBELLO:

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

(a) what are the recommendations in the report of the Principal Scientific Advisor, on stimulating the demand for indigenous technology products;
(b) what steps have been taken to implement these recommendations in case of procurements by Government or PSEs; and
(c) whether Government propose to introduce the offset clause in case of imported machinaries, systems and plants as in case of defence procurements?

ANSWER

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

(a) The recommendations in the report of the sub-committee on stimulating demand for indigenous technology products covers five categories namely General Industries; Strategic and Defence Sectors; Emerging and New Technologies; Role of Small and Medium Enterprises and Incubation of High Tech Industries. In addition to specific recommendations for these categories, the general recommendations in the report highlight the need to sensitize users about the status of indigenous lab level technologies and initiate appropriate measures to disseminate information on Indian products and awareness of their advantages. The report also recommends purchase of Indian indigenous products which are equal to overseas products in terms of value for money and other criteria especially by the government departments and agencies and stress upon the need for periodic in-depth analysis of the cost effectiveness of major R&D projects.

(b) No specific steps, have so far been taken,as these recommendations require study from different angles.

(c) Does not arise in view of (b) above.