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

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 409

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3-3-2005

AMOUNT SPENT ON SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENTS

409. PROF. R.B.S.VARMA

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

(a) whether it is a fact that Indian Meteorological Department, Geophysics Research institute and Vadia Institute of Himalayan Technology together with the many universities are operating several earthquake monitoring centres all over the country;

(b) the amount being spent by Government on the said centres per annum;

(c) the reasons for the failure of all these monitoring centres in providing prior information about the Tsunami calamity and earthquake that hit Indonesia; and

(d) whether any enquiry has been conducted by Government against failure in providing such information?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The amount being spent by Government on these centres is approximately of Rs. 7.00 (seven) crores per annum.

(c ) There is no scientific technique available anywhere in the world to forecast the occurrence of earthquakes with regard to space, time and magnitude. The Tsunami that was generated on 26th December, 2004 was a consequence of a large magnitude under-sea earthquake which occurred well outside the Indian Territory. The earthquake monitoring centers alone are not sufficient to provide prior information about the tsunamis. As there was no specific Tsunami Warning System in place for the Indian ocean region, prior information was not possible.

(d) Does not arise, Sir.