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

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 761
TO BE ANSWERED ON 5-3-2008

FUNCTIONING OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS

761. SHRI AMIR ALAM KHAN:

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

(a) the number of Scientific Research Organizations working under the Central Government in the country;
(b) the steps being taken by Government for promoting scientific research;
(c) the achievements of these Scientific Organizations; and
(d) the manner of assessment of the functioning of these organisations?

ANSWER

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

(a) According to the latest available official Directory of R&D Institutions, there are 707 Scientific Research Organisations in the country working under the Central Government.

(b) The Government have taken various measures for promoting scientific research in the country. These measures apart from higher allocation for scientific research from Plan to Plan include setting up of new institutions for science education and research, creation of centres of excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline areas in academic and national institutes, induction of new and attractive fellowships, strengthening infrastructure for R&D in universities, encouraging public-private R&D partnerships, national awards for outstanding R&D etc.

(c) The Scientific Research Organisations are engaged in diverse S&T areas. Some of the recent significant achievements/initiatives of these scientific organisations include (1) Establishing major research facilities/ centres of excellence in frontline areas of S&T; (2) Deployment of state-of-art seismology and geo-physical instruments in peninsular regions; (3) Launching of technology mission mode project in the areas of bamboo applications; (4) Launching of Swarnajayanti Fellowship to recognise the work of outstanding young scientists and provide support in project mode with more flexibility; (5) Creation of funds for improvement of S&T infrastructure in academic and related institutions; (6) Establishment of national facilities and support to number of industries as collaborative research programmes under Drugs and Pharmaceuticals; (7) Development of satellites, launch vehicles and application in space research; (8) Development of missiles (Prithvi, Agni-II, etc.), tank (Arjun), pilotless target aircraft (Lakshya), etc., in the area of defence; (9) Self reliance in the areas of nuclear reactor and its entire associated fuel cycle; (10) Application of radiation technology in the areas of health care, agriculture, food preservation, industry and research, has resulted in the release of 22 improved varieties of seeds; (11) Self sufficiency in food production; (12) Identified potential molecules for the development of vaccines and diagnostic for infectious diseases; (13) Development of diagnostic kits for HIV, hepatitis, dengue, assessment of reproductive hormones, Japanese encephalitis, vaccines for leprosy, drug formulation for septic shock, plant tissue culture protocols, formulation of bio-fertilisers, high protein gene from Amaranthus and bioremediation technology for mine spoiled dumps and crude oil spillage; (14) Rice genome mapping; (15) Ginger processing; (16) Launched 21 Jai Vigyan National S&T Missions in the areas of development of new generation vaccines, bio-technology for herbal products development, coffee improvement and establishment of mirror sites for genomics etc; (17) Promote polar science and as a treaty obligation, scientific expedition to Antarctica were undertaken on an annual basis; (18) Archaeological discoveries at Cambay with artefacts dated 7000 to 8000 B.C. (19) Under the Drugs from Sea programme, identification of organisms possessing anti-diabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-hyperlipidaemic, anti-anxiety, anti-cholesterol, anti-bacterial and larvicidal properties and isolation of compounds having interesting biological activity and novel chemical structure; (20) Design fabrication and air worthiness testing of 9-14 seater light transport aircraft and certification of the 2 seater trainer aircraft HANSA-3; (21) Environment friendly electric car; (22) Large number of technologies have been developed and commercialized in the fields of drugs and pharmaceuticals, food processing, leather processing products, construction materials and bio-medical devices, etc.; (23) Formulation of a new Science and Technology Policy, 2003.

(d) Each scientific organisation has its own system of assessment which includes Scientific Advisory Committees, High Power/Executive Committees and Governing bodies etc., for periodic assessment and monitoring of its functioning.