Parliament of India Rajya Sabha

REPORT NO. 336

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

THREE HUNDRED THIRTY SIXTHREPORT

Action Taken by the Government on the Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred Twenty Eighth Report of the Department- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change on the Demands for Grants (2020-21) of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

(Presented to the Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha on the 30th November, 2020) (Forwarded to the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on the 30th November, 2020) (Presented to the Rajya Sabha on 4th February, 2021) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 4th February, 2021)

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi November, 2020/ Agrahayana, 1942 (Saka)

Website : http://rajyasabha.nic.in Email: [email protected]

Hindi version of this publication is also available

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA

DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

THREE HUNDRED THIRTY SIXTH REPORT

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi November, 2020/ Agrahayana, 1942 (Saka)

CO N T E N T S

PAGES

1. COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE ……………………………….. (i)-(ii)

2. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………….. (iii)

3. ACRONYMS …………………………………………………………….. (iv)

4. REPORT ………………………………………………………………….. 1-8

Chapter I. Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government……………………………….. 2-4

Chapter II. Recommendations/Observations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government’s replies……………………………………………………….. 5

Chapter III. Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee…………………………………………… 6

Chapter IV. Recommendations/Observations in respect of which Final Replies of the Government are still awaited………….. 7

5. FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS/ OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE - AT A GLANCE………………………………………….. 8

6. MINUTES …………………………………………………………………. 9-10

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (Constituted on 13th September, 2019)

1. Shri Jairam Ramesh -- Chairman

RAJYA SABHA 2. Shri Anil Baluni 3. Shri R.S. Bharathi 4. Shrimati Vandana Chavan 5. Shri Hishey Lachungpa 6. Shri Bhaskar Rao Nekkanti 7. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw 8. Shri Ravi Prakash Verma 9. Shri Binoy Viswam #10. Shri Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba

LOK SABHA 11. Shri Guharam Ajgalley 12. Shri Pradan Baruah 13. Shri E.T. Mohammed Basheer 14. Shri Jashvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor 15. Shri Sudarshan Bhagat 16. Shri Rameshbhai Lavjibhai Dhaduk 17. Shri Anantkumar Hegde 18. Shrimati Jyotsna Charandas Mahant 19. Dr. Swami Sakshiji Maharaj 20. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi 21. Shri S.R. Parthiban 22. Dr. Ranjan Singh Rajkumar 23. Shri Kotha Prabhakar Reddy 24. Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy 25. Shrimati Satabdi Roy (Banerjee) 26. Shri Mahesh Sahoo 27. Shri Francisco Cosme Sardinha 28. Shri Anurag Sharma 29. Shri Ram Shiromani 30. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh 31. Dr. Ramapati Ram Tripathi ______SECRETARIAT Smt. Sunita Sekaran, Joint Secretary Shri T. N. Pandey, Director Shri S. Rangarajan, Additional Director Shri Rajiv Saxena, Under Secretary Shri Harish Kumar, Committee Officer Shri Ankit Chansoria, Assistant Committee Officer ______#Nominated w.e.f. 22nd July, in lieu of Shri Parimal Nathwani who ceased to be a Member of the Committee on expiry of his term in Rajya Sabha w.e.f. 9th April, 2020.

(i)

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (Constituted on 13th September, 2020)

1. Shri Jairam Ramesh - Chairman

RAJYA SABHA 2. Shri Anil Baluni 3. Shri R.S. Bharathi 4. Shrimati Vandana Chavan 5. Shri Hishey Lachungpa 6. Shri Parimal Nathwani 7. Shri Bhaskar Rao Nekkanti 8. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw 9. Shri Binoy Viswam @10. Vacant

LOK SABHA

11. Shri Guharam Ajgalley 12. Shri Pradan Baruah 13. Shri E.T. Mohammed Basheer 14. Shri Jashvantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor 15. Shri Sudarshan Bhagat 16. Shri Anantkumar Hegde 17. Shri S. Jagathrakshakan 18. Shri Mohammed Azam Khan 19. Shrimati Jyotsna Charandas Mahant 20. Dr. Swami Sakshiji Maharaj 21. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi 22. Dr. Ranjan Singh Rajkumar 23. Shri Kotha Prabhakar Reddy 24. Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy 25. Shrimati Satabdi Roy (Banerjee) 26. Shri Mahesh Sahoo 27. Shri Francisco Sardinha 28. Shri Anurag Sharma 29. Shri Ram Shiromani 30. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh 31. Dr. Ramapati Ram Tripathi ______

SECRETARIAT Smt. Sunita Sekaran, Joint Secretary Shri T.N. Pandey, Director Shri S. Rangarajan, Additional Director Shri Rajiv Saxena, Under Secretary Shri Harish Kumar, Committee Officer Shri Ankit Chansoria, Assistant Committee Officer ______@ Shri Ravi Prakash Verma ceased to be a member of the Committee on expiry of his term in Rajya Sabha on 25th November, 2020

(ii)

INTRODUCTION

I, the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, having been authorised by the Committee to present the Report on its behalf, present this Three Hundred Thirty Sixth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the Three Hundred Twenty Ninth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2020-2021) of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, which was presented/laid in both the Houses of Parliament on 6th March,2020.

2. There were 10 recommendations/observations in the Three Hundred Twenty Sixth Report of the Committee. Action Taken Notes on the recommendations/observations of the Committee were received from the Department on 31st August, 2020. 3. In the meeting held on 10th September, 2020, the Committee considered the draft Report and adopted the same.

(JAIRAM RAMESH) NEW DELHI; Chairman, 10th September, 2020 Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Bhadrapada 19, 1942 (Saka) Science and Technol ogy, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Rajya Sabha.

(iii)

ACRONYMS

ATR Action Taken Report

BE Budget Estimate

CEL Central Electronics Limited

CLRI Central Leather Research Institute

CMD Chairman and Managing Director

CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

CSIR-NAL CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories

DSIR Department of Scientific and Industrial Research

GAIL Gas Authority of India Limited

IT Information Technology

NRDC National Research Development Corporation

PSU Public Sector Undertaking

R&D Research and Development

RE Revised Estimate

S&T Science and Technology

UN United Nations

(iv)

REPORT The Action Taken Report (ATR) of the Committee deals with the action taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in Three Hundred Twenty Eighth Report of the Committee on ‘Demands for Grants (2020-21) of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Report was presented to Rajya Sabha and laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on the 6th March, 2020. 2. Action Taken Note (ATN) has been received from Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in respect of ten recommendations/observations contained in the Three Hundred Twenty Eighth Report. This has been categorized as follows:- Chapter I: Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government: Para:- 2.8, 3.2, 4.4, 4.5, 4.10, 5.4, 6.3, 7.3 and 9.1. (TOTAL – 9) Chapter II: Recommendations/Observations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government’s replies: Para:- (TOTAL – Nil) The Committee is convinced with the explanation furnished by the Department and, therefore, does not want to pursue above-mentioned recommendations further. Chapter III: Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee: Para:- 8.3 (TOTAL-1) Chapter IV: Recommendations/Observations in respect of which final replies of the Government are still awaited: Para:- (TOTAL- Nil) 3. The Committee desires that the Ministry should furnish pointed and detailed Action Taken Notes in respect of the further Recommendations/Observations made by the Committee in Chapter III of the Report. 4. The details of the ATR have been discussed in the respective Chapters in the succeeding pages.

CHAPTER-I RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT BUDGETARY DETAILS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2019-20 AND ALLOCATION FOR 2020-21 Recommendation/Observation 1.1 The Committee is of the considered view that both the obligatory expenditure such as fellowships to researchers and salary to the staff of the Department, and the essential expenditure i.e. Rs.230 crore, have to be met at any cost. Therefore, the Committee finds merit in the demand of additional amount of Rs.440 crore to meet stipulated expenses of the Department. The Committee hereby recommends that the Department must take up this matter with the Ministry of Finance for allocation of this additional amount at the RE stage. (Para 2.8)

Action Taken 1.2 The department thankfully acknowledges the recommendation made by the Committee to seek an additional allocation of Rs. 440 crore from Ministry of Finance at the RE stage. SCHEMES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH Recommendation/Observation 1.3 The Committee observes significant under-utilisation of allocated funds in the above-mentioned Scheme. The Committee, therefore, insists that the Department should strengthen its monitoring mechanism for utilising the allocated resources and evaluation of the expenditure must be done on periodical basis. The Committee urges the Department to utilise the funds allocated under the said Scheme and achieve the projected targets during 2020-21. (Para 3.2) Action Taken 1.4 The department notes the concern of the Committee regarding strengthening the monitoring mechanism for utilization of the allocated resources. A meeting is being organized under the chairmanship of Secretary at the beginning of next financial year (2020-21), where a detailed action plan for utilization of funds under each scheme/sub-scheme shall be presented by the respective Group Heads. Appropriate IT based mechanisms shall be put in place for regular monitoring of projected targets and the status will be reviewed by Secretary and Financial Adviser every quarter. NATIONAL LABORATORIES SCHEME Recommendation/Observation 1.5 The Committee acknowledges the Department for the R&D efforts of CSIR, which are well- aligned to the needs of the domestic industry and the social priorities of the nation. This is exemplified by the Government's Mission Programs and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) chartered by the UN. The R&D of CSIR caters to the Government's initiatives such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat, Namami Gange, Swasth Bharat, Smart Cities, Smart Villages, affordable renewable energy technology solutions, Innovate in India, etc. The Committee also appreciates the Department for undertaking several initiatives to translate laboratory leads to marketable/value-added technologies/products. This has significantly enhanced engagement and outreach with stakeholders enabling ease of technology licensing. (Para 4.4)

Action Taken 1.6 CSIR is thankful to the Committee for acknowledging the contributions of CSIR towards Government's initiatives and translation of laboratory leads to marketable/value-added technologies/products. Recommendation/Observation 1.7 The Committee acknowledges that these initiatives can benefit the citizens of the country and especially, farmers, industries, and entrepreneurs. The Committee is also of the view that the above initiatives have the potential to generate both employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth, with concerted and coordinated efforts of the Department. (Para 4.5) Action Taken 1.8 The Committee views are very well taken, CSIR is supporting to generate both employment and self-employment through technology transfer, hand holding their start-ups, incubation centers, skill training programs, JIGYASA programme etc., and such activities shall continue in the future also. Recommendation/Observation 1.9 The Committee appreciates the enhancement in allocations for this Scheme from Rs. 300 crore in 2019-20 (RE) to Rs. 400 crore in BE 2020-21. The Committee hopes that with the enhancement in the allocation for 2020-21, the planned activities under this Scheme would be achieved and many more students/ scientists are attracted towards scientific research. (Para 4.10) Action Taken 1.10 CSIR is thankful to Committee for its appreciation. CSIR will ensure the effective utilization of budgetary resources allocated at BE stage during 2020-21 i.e. Rs. 400 crore under National Human Resource Development Programme PUBLIC SECTOR ENTERPRISES Recommendation/Observation 1.11 The Committee appreciates the goal of NRDC, to act as a link between scientific laboratories and industrial establishments for transfer of technology. The Committee notes that Rs.10.00 crore i.e. 83% only (upto 31.01.2020) has been utilised against the allocated amount of Rs.14.06 crore (RE 2019-20) and urges optimum utilisation of allocated amount during the year 2020-21. (Para5.4) Action Taken 1.12 NRDC is thankful for the appreciation of the Committee regarding the goals and technology transfer activities being carried out by NRDC. The Corporation also takes note of the concern of the Committee for optimum utilization of allocated funds. For optimum utilization of the allocated amount during 2020-21, action plan has been made, which shall be monitored strictly at the level of CMD periodically. CENTRAL ELECTRONICS LTD. (CEL) Recommendation/Observation 1.13 The Committee appreciates the efforts of CEL in making various utility items for different Government agencies using indigenous technologies and materials and hopes that CEL would achieve the targeted deliverables for 2020-21 and continue to excel in its field. (Para 6.3) Action Taken 1.14 Central Electronics Limited acknowledges the appreciation of the committee regarding indigenization of critical technologies and materials for supply to various government agencies in

3 defence, railways and energy sector. CEL would work diligently towards realization of targeted deliverables for 2020-21. EARNINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT Recommendation/Observation 1.15 The Committee appreciates the initiatives/ plans of the Department to use their surplus land assets by setting up innovation parks, design centres, R&D Centres for industries and incubation centres through the above-mentioned innovation fund and using their land assets for setting up units in collaboration with PSUs like GAIL etc. However, the Committee is of the opinion that since the Department has huge land resources, it should explore the possibility of augmenting their income through these land resources. For this purpose, the Department may engage services of professionals/groups/consultancies to undertake an independent study to advice the Department similar to what the Ministry of Railways and Defence have done. (Para 7.3)

Action Taken 1.16 There are 37 National Laboratories / Establishments and regional centresworking under CSIR all across India. These labs have been established on the land which is either on lease from various Govt. Departments or Owned / Donated by the Departments of Govt. of India. There are also many laboratories in which the part of the land is owned and part of the land is on lease. In order to comply the recommendations of the Committee and to have a clear picture of availability of land resources, the requisite information was sought from all the labs so as to compile a data record of Leased / Owned / Donated land of the respective laboratory. There is slight delay in consolidation of the data due to lockdowns in various states because of Covid-19 pandemic situation. EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES OF CENTRAL LEATHER RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CLRI) Recommendation/Observation 1.17 The Committee therefore recommends that the necessary financial support for the expansion of CLRI should be provided by CSIR. (Para 9.1) Action Taken 1.18 Necessary financial support for CSIR-CLRI shall be provided by CSIR.

CHAPTER – II

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS WHICH THE COMMITTEE DOES NOT DESIRE TO PURSUE IN VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S REPLY

-Nil-

CHAPTER – III

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS IN RESPECT OF WHICH REPLIES OF THE GOVERNMENT HAVE NOT BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE COMMITTEE

DEVELOPMENT OF CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT-'SARAS'BY CSIR-NAL Recommendation/Observation 3.1 The Committee is of the view that the CSIR-NAL’s 19-seater SARAS turboprop civilian aircraft needs to be taken up as a National Mission to promote connectivity to small airports and underserved regions under the UDAN Scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. There is an additional need to boost aircraft manufacturing in the country and build confidence amongst civil airlines operators. The Committee recommends that the Government of India should place a development order to NAL and other manufacturers for about 50 to 60 SARAS aircrafts. A firm commitment of procurement of the aircraft by the Government will encourage the manufacturing industry in the country to meet the demand for the 19-seater aircraft. (Para 8.3) Action Taken 3.2 CSIR has noted the recommendation. It may be noted that as per list of 101 Defence items banned for Import by India as announced by the Ministry of Defence includes Transport Aircraft (light) slated for indigenous production and achieve Atma Nirbhar Bharat. Further Recommendation/Observation 3.3 The Committee observes that the Department has merely noted the recommendation of the Committee. The Committee recommends that the Department should take up concrete steps towards ensuring manufacturing and procurement of SARAS and intimate the action taken in this regard to the Committee.

CHAPTER – IV

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS IN RESPECT OF WHICH FINAL REPLIES OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE STILL AWAITED

-Nil-

OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE - AT A GLANCE

Further Recommendation/Observation 3.3 The Committee observes that the Department has merely noted the recommendation of the Committee. The Committee recommends that the Department should take up concrete steps towards ensuring manufacturing and procurement of SARAS and intimate the action taken in this regard to the Committee.

______

MINUTES ______

XVI SIXTEENTH MEETING The Committee met at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, the 10th September, 2020 in Committee Room ‘A’, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi.

MEMBERS PRESENT 1. Shri Jairam Ramesh - Chairman RAJYA SABHA 2. Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw 3. Shri Ravi Prakash Verma LOK SABHA 4. Dr. Swami Sakshiji Maharaj 5. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi 6. Dr. Ranjan Singh Rajkumar 7. Smt. Satabdi Roy (Banerjee) 8. Shri Ram Shiromani 9. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh 10. Dr. Ramapati Ram Tripathi SECRETARIAT Smt. Sunita Sekaran, Joint Secretary Shri T.N. Pandey, Director Shri S. Rangarajan, Additional Director Shri Rajiv Saxena, Under Secretary Shri Harish Kumar, Committee Officer * * * * * * * * * 2. At the outset, the Chairman welcomed the Members to the meeting of the Committee. The Committee first decided to take up the consideration and adoption of the draft 333rd, 334th, 335th, 336th, 337th , 338th and 339th reports of the Committee on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations of the Committee contained in reports of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2020-21) of the Ministries/Departments of Earth Sciences; Atomic Energy; Biotechnology; Scientific & Industrial Research; Science & Technology; Space; and Environment, Forest and Climate Change respectively. The Committee, then, considered the draft 333rd to 339th reports and adopted the same. 3. * * * 4. * * * 5. * * * 6. A verbatim record of the proceedings was kept. 7. The meeting of the Committee adjourned at 12:25 p.m. ______***Relate to other matters.