Dr Jitendra presents budget hike provisions to promote science & technology, startups

New Delhi, Aug 07: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday presented budget hike provisions to the Lok Sabha to promote Science and Technology as well as startups.
The minister highlighted several initiatives taken by the government to increase budget allocation for science and technology research, including: promotion of innovation, entrepreneurship and startup grants to nurture a robust start-up ecosystem; public-private partnerships to leverage combined expertise and resources; and increased budget allocation for R&D in collaboration with industry, boosting research efforts nationwide.
Dr Jitendra highlighted the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in promoting science, technology, engineering and medicine. He said that Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 requires companies with a net worth of over Rs 500 crore or more to spend at least 2 percent of their average net profits on CSR activities.
The minister informed the Lok Sabha about several key initiatives taken by his ministry to boost Science and Technology. The initiatives include increased budget allocation for scientific departments, establishment of Centres of Excellence and facilities in emerging and frontline areas of S&T, participation in the development and utilization of mega scientific facilities, substantial grants to potential scientists through extramural research funding, etc.
Dr Singh also informed about the steps like scaled-up funding in critical areas such as clean energy, energy efficiency, clean coal technology, smart grids, methanol, desalination, genome engineering technology, and climate change research. The government introduced national missions such as the National Quantum Mission and the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems, he said.
The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, and MoS Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, highlighted the autonomy given to Autonomous Institutions (AIs) under the Ministry of Science and Technology to initiate R&D activities through their respective Governing Councils. Additionally, relaxations have been made in General Financial Rules 2017 specifically for scientific Ministries for procurement procedures.
He said the Ministry of Science and Technology has several programs to enhance scientific temper and research-oriented thinking in higher education institutions across the country. These programmes include lectures, seminars, and open houses through State S&T Councils, as well as research support grants for dissertation/thesis writing.
Dr Jitendra Singh also mentioned that the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) had launched a programme named “JIGYASA” in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) to open up national scientific facilities to school children.
“This enables CSIR scientific knowledge base and facility to be utilised by school children to instill ‘Scientific Thinking’ in young minds,” he said, adding that the Ministry also provides doctoral and postdoctoral research fellowships to students to pursue research in science and technology in the country.