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

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1440
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16-07-2009

DEVELOPMENT OF STATE COUNCILS
1440. SHRI R.C. SINGH:

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

(a) the details of assistance provided to States under the Assistance for Development of State Councils of S & T during the last five years, year-wise and State-wise with a particular reference to West Bengal;
(b) The aims and objectives of the above programme; and
(c) in what manner the Ministry helps the States to identify and find out solution to the location specific and region-specific problems?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a) A statement detailing financial assistance provided to States/Union Territories including West Bengal during the last five years under `Assistance for Development of State Science and Technology Councils' is attached.
(b) The scheme `Assistance for Development of State Science and Technology Councils' aims at promoting science and technology at State level through financial support to core scientific manpower in the Council; supporting location specific research and technology development programmes, science and technology demonstration projects, scientific studies/surveys and organising meetings/workshops on specialized Science and Technology topics of relevance to States.
(c) The Department organises interaction meetings/thematic workshops involving various States and Central agencies to identify state/region specific areas for Science and Technology interventions. In addition, the Department provides financial assistance to states to conduct surveys to identify state-specific areas. So far, 21 States including the State of West Bengal have availed financial assistance to undertake such studies. The Department also provides financial support to States for setting up demonstration plants based on the technologies sourced from national laboratories, universities etc. to arrive at technological solutions to such problems.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1440 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.07.2009 ON DEVELOPMENT OF STATE COUNCILS.

* Covered under State Plan
** Funds released / to be released in subsequent financial year
*** No proposal received/ sanctioned