Parliament of India Rajya Sabha

REPORT NO. 337

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA

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

THREE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVENTH REPORT

Action Taken by the Government on the Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred Twenty Ninth 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 Science and Technology

th (Presented to the Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha on the 30 November, 2020) (Forwarded to the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on the 30th November, 2020)

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 SEVENTH REPORT

th (Presented to the Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha on the 30 November, 2020) (Forwarded to the Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha on the 30th November, 2020)

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)-(v)

4. REPORT …………………………………………………………………... 1-14

Chapter I. Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government………………………………... 2-8

Chapter II. Recommendations/Observations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government’s replies……………………………………………………….. 9-12

Chapter III. Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee…………………………………………………… 13

Chapter IV. Recommendations/Observations in respect of which Final Replies of the Government are still awaited………………… 14

5. MINUTES …………………………………………………………………. 15-16

COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (2019-20) (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 (2020-21) (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 Seventh 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 Science and Technology, which was presented/laid in both the Houses of Parliament on 6th March,2020.

2. There were 13 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 10th July, 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 Bhadrapada19, 1942 (Saka) Science and Technol ogy, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Rajya Sabha.

(iii)

ACRONYMS

ATR Action Taken Report

BE Budget Estimate

BHU Banaras Hindu University

COVID Coronavirus Disease

DST Department of Science and Technology

EFC External Finance Committee

FA Financial Adviser

FIST Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure FY Financial Year

GITA Global Innovation and Technology Alliance HRNTDB Generation of High Resolution National Topographic Data Base

IIT Indian Institute of Technology

INSPIRE Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research

MANAK Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge

MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework

NATMO National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization

NM-ICPS National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical System

NM-QTA National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications

PURSE Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence

R&D Research and Development

RE Revised Estimate

S&T State Science & Technology

SAIF Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities

SATHI Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute

SERB Science & Engineering Research Board

SMEs Small and Medium Enterprises SoI Survey of India

SUPRA Scientific and Useful Profound Research Advancement (iv)

TDB Technology Development Board

TIH Technology Innovation Hub

UK United Kingdom

VC Video Conference VCF Venture Capital Fund

(v)

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 Ninth Report of the Committee on „Demands for Grants (2020-21) of the Department of Science and Technology‟. 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 Science and Technology in respect of thirteen recommendations/observations contained in the Three Hundred Twenty Ninth Report. This has been categorized as follows:- Chapter I: Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government: Para:- 2.2, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 4.3.2, 4.6, 5.3, 5.4, 6.4 and 7.2. (TOTAL – 10) Chapter II: Recommendations/Observations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government‟s replies: Para:- 4.1.1, 4.3.1 and 4.4. (TOTAL – 3) 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:- (TOTAL-Nil) Chapter IV: Recommendations/Observations in respect of which final replies of the Government are still awaited: Para:- (TOTAL- Nil) 3. 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 observes that the Department received an additional allocation of Rs.812.60 crore for B.E. 2020-21 (at Rs.6313.63 crore) as compared to R.E. 2019-20 (at Rs.5501.03 crore). The Committee notes that this increase is almost twice the yearly average increase at the R.E. stage during the past five years. The Committee hopes that this increased allocation will enable the Department to undertake its new initiatives and schemes effectively and efficiently. (Para 2.2)

Action Taken 1.2 During financial year 2019-20, the Department of Science and Technology expended an amount of Rs. 5451.57 crore (99.10% of RE 2019-20). With the enhanced allocation in BE 2020-21, the Department would be able to carry out the ongoing activities in a more effective and efficient manner besides taking up new initiatives. As may be seen from the table given below, the Department is incurring increasing levels of expenditure on augmentation of ongoing activities as well as for undertaking new initiatives:- Expenditure during the year 2016-17 to 2019-20 (Rs. in crore) % ACTUAL % expenditure FY B.E. R.E. expenditure EXPENDITURE vis-a-vis BE vis-a-vis RE 2016-17 4496.32 4493.83 4325.60 96.20% 96.26% 2017-18 4837.37 4746.81 4635.22 95.82% 97.65% 2018-19 5134.88 5134.89 5047.84 98.30% 98.30% 2019-20 5600.11 5501.03 5451.57** 97.35% 99.10%

** Actual Expenditure till 31.03.2020 (as per e-lekha), it may change after submission of Appropriation Accounts Stage- II.

Recommendation/Observation 1.3 The Committee recommends the Department to ensure full utilisation of funds, especially under the heads Secretariat, NATMO and Innovation, Technology and Development, for the increased budgetary allocation in B.E. 2020-21. (Para 2.5)

Action Taken 1.4 During financial year 2019-20, the expenditure under the heads Secretariat, NATMO and Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment was 93.63%, 82.67% and 99.99% of Revised Estimates 2019-20, as per details given below.

(Rs. in crore) FY 2019-20 S. No. PARTICULARS Budget Revised Actual expenditure Estimates Estimates till 31.03.2020 1 Secretariat 158.45 118.45 110.91 2 NATMO 25.75 27.25 22.53 Innovation, Technology 3 872.35 811.87 811.79 Development and Deployment

The recommendation made by the DR-PSC has been noted for compliance.

Recommendation/Observation 1.5 The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department to utilise its increased budgetary allocation with prudence, prioritise its activities and optimise the available resources to support critical projects under different schemes and sub-schemes. The Committee also recommends the Ministry of Finance to grant additional funds to the Department at the supplementary stage so that the Department may sustain its different programmes without having any adverse impact on ongoing schemes/projects. (Para 2.7) Action Taken 1.6 The recommendation made by the DR-PSC has been noted for compliance. The Department would approach the Ministry of Finance for additional budgetary allocation at supplementary stage.

Recommendation/Observation 1.7 During the meeting of the Committee for the consideration of the Demands for Grants held on the 17th February 2020, it was informed by the Department that there is a need to enhance the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) allocations of the Department to cater to the needs of the Department. The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department to pursue the Ministry of Finance and revise the MTEF to a higher base level, thereby increasing the resource availability for the Department to carry out its new initiatives and future plans. (Para 2.8)

Action Taken 1.8 The recommendation made by the DR-PSC has been noted for compliance. Department of Science Technology shall take up matter with Ministry of Finance to revise the MTEF to a higher base level so as to enable the Department to take up new initiatives and chalk out its future plans.

BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR SCHEMES AND OTHER INITIATIVES Recommendation/Observation 1.9 During the meeting, the Committee was informed that the withdrawal of tax incentive on R&D as well as the exemptions on the funds spent on acquiring patents by the private sector, has negatively affected R&D investment in the private sector in India. The Committee observes that this weighted tax deduction scheme, in existence for the last three decades, had stimulated R&D spending by private companies/entities registered with DST. The Committee would like the department to carry out an immediate assessment of the impact of the tax incentive under the Income Tax Act, 1961, and apprise the Committee of its analysis. (Para 4.3.2)

Action Taken 1.10 The recommendation of the Committee has been noted and department will carry out the assessment of the impact of the tax incentive under the Income Tax Act 1961 once the data on the same is available as the changes would be applicable from Assessment year 2021. Recommendation/Observation 1.11 The Committee realises the need for promoting cutting edge research in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analysis, robotics and automation, cyber security, precision electronics, cybernetics, and quantum computing. The Committee hopes that the progress in the above mentioned critical areas would be accelerated with the implementation of NM-ICPS and NM-QTA. The Committee recommends the Department to set up such administrative and financial mechanisms so that the private sector, especially start-ups and SMEs can integrate seamlessly, at various stages, with the Department in the execution of these missions. (Para 4.6)

Action Taken 1.12 With reference to the Parliamentary Standing Committee recommendations, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) are proposed to be established under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), out of which Host Institute for 17 TIHs have been identified and the proposal in respect of the remaining 8 TIHs have also been received and are under examination. Each of the 25 TIH will cover one specific cutting edge research area along with one or two applications. All the areas mentioned are being covered by the TIHs. The mandate of the TIH includes integration with private sector especially start-ups and SMEs. 1.13 Administrative and financial mechanisms of the Mission for integration of private sector, especially start-ups and SMEs has been built-in the Mission and the specific recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee will also be communicated to the TIH to incorporate the suggestions. 1.14 National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NM-QTA) is at the formulation of Detailed Report (DPR) stage and the recommendation of the Parliamentary Standing Committee will be kept in view while framing the same. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Recommendation/Observation 1.15 The Committee, during its meeting with the representatives of the Department, remarked that the statutory nature of TDB has constrained the entity in disbursement of funds, acquiring equity and augmenting financial resources. The Committee also noted managerial issues with TDB, thereby rendering the on-ground impact unsatisfactory. (Para 5.3) 1.16 The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Department must immediately analyse the issues with the structure and functioning of TDB and re-structure the administrative and financial framework with a fresh approach ensuring enhanced and seamless collaboration with the private sector. The Committee also recommends that the Department should look into the possibility of amending the relevant act and establishing TDB as a Section 8 company on the lines of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), an entity started by the Department of Biotechnology. (Para 5.4) Action Taken 1.17 The following steps have already been taken to restructure and improve administrative functioning of the TDB:- a) Service Regulations and the Recruitment Rules have been revised recently to attract talent from outside. 4

b) The post of Secretary, TDB has been advertised as per revised recruitment rules. The process of selection is likely to be completed within next 3months. c) Other vacant administrative posts have been advertised and are likely to be filled in the near future. d) The post of Director (Finance) which was vacant since September 2015, has now been filled since September 2019. e) The post of Deputy Legal Adviser (DLA) which was vacant since June 2012 has now been filled. The new incumbent is likely to join by 01 July 2020. 1.18 The following steps have been taken to restructure and improve the financial functioning of the TDB:- a) To speed up the decision making in the TDB, the delegation of financial powers has been recently revised and new powers have been implemented since June 2019. b) Methods of funding are under review. Two committees have already been constituted to explore fresh approaches to the funding methods especially for Start-ups. Broadly, review of financial framework is under progress. 1.19 The recommendations of the committee regarding the possibility of establishing TDB as Section 8 Company has been noted for further examination.

NURTURING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Recommendation/Observation 1.20 The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department to analyse the hurdles, especially with respect to programmes oriented towards extending support to start-ups and entrepreneurs and commercialisation of technologies most relevant to the Indian needs. (Para 6.4) Action Taken 1.21 The Department has already assigned a study to IIT Kanpur for analysing the overall implementation of various programs of support to startups and entrepreneurs and its impact. The report is likely to be submitted by September 2020. Subsequently, the Department is also actively working on to engage industry champions as mentors in startup promotion activity. This would be in addition to forging new partnerships with private sector to overcome some of the identified key challenges and hurdles faced in the commercialisation of technologies specific to Indian needs. FIVE MAJOR INITIATIVES OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 2020-21

Recommendation/Observation 1.22 The Committee takes note of the above-mentioned initiatives and their respective targets set by the Department. The Committee recommends the Department to develop frameworks that enable better convergence between academia, industry and government, for all the above programmes and apprise the Committee of the same. (Para 7.2) Action Taken 1.23 National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS):

With respect to the recommendation of the Committee to develop frameworks that enable better convergence between academia, industry and government, it may be stated that the management structure of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) provides the following framework for bringing convergence between academia, industry and government. 5

NM-ICPS is controlled and managed by Mission Governing Board (MGB), an Apex body for overall supervision, control, directions and mid-course correction in the implementation of NM-ICPS MGB is headed by an eminent industrialist, Dr. Kris Gopalakrishnan and members include eminent persons from academia, industry and government to ensure better convergence between academia, industry and government. As per directions of MGB, DST developed a convergence framework to connect Academia, Industry and Government. The developed framework is implemented through TIHs. Each TIH will have industry as partners and work with line Ministries to roll out technologies and as well as commercialization. 1.24 Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute (SATHI):

Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institute (SATHI) to Provide shared, professionally managed services and strong Science and Technology infrastructure / facilities, with efficiency, accessibility and transparency of highest order under one roof to service the demands of faculty, researchers, scientist and students of Host and User Institutes / organisations (including other academic institutes, universities, national laboratories, start-ups, manufacturing and engineering industries, SME‟s, R&D Labs) and to enable them to carry out activities on a round the clock basis with minimum downtime. Target: Department aims to establish 3 SATHI centres at a total cost of Rs. 125 crore per centre will be established by next year. 1.25 STATUS REPORT April -2020  For effective addressing of every single issues of respective host institutions of SATHI, a day is being identified for group interaction / joint meeting among SATHI centres at every month interval. After the interaction with all three Heads of the institute and respective coordinators, third (3rd) Thursday of every month between 15.00 -16.00 hrs is decided as interaction day of every month and it is known as “SATHI KI BAAT”.  The constitution(s) of Governing Body (GB) of SATHI at IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur and BHU- Varanasi are notified to respective host institutes.  The 6thmeeting of “SATHI Ki Baat” held on 16thApril 2020 at DST (3rdThursday) through video- conference by involving IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur and BHU- Varanasi to review the work progress of supported SATHI centres.  Still at present distress situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, all three host institutes are putting their efforts for the procurement of the sanctioned equipment and will forward the two shortlisted logos to DST by end of April and by the help of an expert committee DST will finalise the best logo for SATHI program.  In consultation with present FA-DST, the meeting of the Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) Committee is going to happen soon under the Chairmanship of FA - DST. Already co-ordinated with the Chief Adviser (Cost) of Department of Expenditure, MoF. The office of Chief Adviser Cost has conveyed their observation(s), based on documents of SATHI communicated to their office.  For SATHI scheme, it is proposed for a revision of approved cost of the SFC memo from Rs. 495 Crores to Rs. 2000 Crores for next 5 years period (2020 – 2025), towards meeting the expansion activities of this scheme.

MAY -2020  The 07th meeting of “SATHI KI BAAT” held on 21st May 2020 at DST (3rdThursday) through (VC) Microsoft Teams Meeting platform by involving IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur and BHU- Varanasi to review the work progress of supported SATHI centres.  BHU Varanasi has placed order for six equipments and rest are under pipeline to place the order and its LC opening. Still at present distress situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, all three host institutes are putting their efforts for the procurement of all sanctioned equipment.  BHU- Varanasi and IIT-Kharagpur has forwarded the two selected logos after completing their logo competition whereas IIT Delhi provided eight inputs last week. In the meantime, DST will constitute an expert committee DST to finalise the best logo for SATHI program. As felt by DST to bring a generality in logos across all of its four-program like SATHI, SAIF, FIST & PURSE of R&D Infrastructure division, additional improvement may be required. For this identical purpose, based on recommendations of the expert committee DST will prepare a common template / write-up needs to be distributed among those six entries. Those six shortlisted participants will get another chance for further improvement in their logo designing file submission. Those revised six entries will then considered by the expert committee to finalise the best out of the six entries.  With regular follow-up IIT Kharagpur hosted SATHI detail through http://www.sathi.iitkgp.ac.in/. They are regularly updating their facility database for better dissemination, its visibility and user accessibility of SATHI.  In consultation with present FA-DST, the meeting of the Revised Cost Estimate Committee is going to happen soon under the Chairmanship of FA - DST. Name of nominated representative of Chief Adviser (Cost) of Department of Expenditure, MoF is being received (For the expansion activities of SATHI scheme).  Work on EFC/Vision Document of SATHI for its expansion activities for the next five year up to 2025-2026 is under progress. 1.26 Vigyan Jyoti Scheme Under Vigyan Jyoti Scheme link between academia, industry and government has been created from the beginning. The Department has developed a framework of activities for convergence between academia, industry and government to implement the scheme. The scheme has been started in 50 Districts hosted in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) under the guidance of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (Ministry of Human Resource Development). Further, each Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya is connected with National Labs or University for regular mentoring of selected girls in order to give all kind of academic exposure and career opportunities in Science & Technology (S&T) domain besides to give them theoretical and practical knowledge of S&T. There is equal emphasis on industrial exposure also. 1.27 High Resolution National Topographic Data Base (HRNTDB) Sl Component Target 2020-21 Comments No 1 HRNTDB 10% of the country The feature extraction shall be completed; however the data is required to be validated on ground for preparation of HRNTDB. Due to COVID-19, field movement is restricted and hence will affect the HRNTDB. 2 To generate 70,000 km2 Flying has started during June for data acquisition. 7

Ultra High Around 50,000 km2 area may be covered during Resolution 2020-21 subject to weather conditions and COVID- digital 19 situation. model(DEM) of 50 cm resolution 3 Ultra high 40,000 km2 Field activities could not be undertaken due to resolution image COVID-19 situation. maps

1. Survey of India (SoI) has a dedicated training Institute –Indian Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Hyderabad to impart training to staff/officers of SoI and other organization in Geospatial domain. 2. SoI has outsourced certain activities to private agencies under various projects. 3. HRNTDB generated by SoI will be provided to all government agencies as per New Pricing Policy-2018.

4. SoI has developed g2g.indiamaps.gov.in portal. Services are being provided to Government organizations/Defence/Para-Military Forces as per their requirement. 1.28 SERB-SUPRA program A national call for proposals under SUPRA (Scientific and Useful Profound Research Advancement)‟ Scheme was made. Out of the total 1593 of grant submissions, through a competitive grant review process involving three levels of evaluation, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) identified and approved 13 Research projects from various academic and research institutions of the country. These projects profile on various aspects of advanced research issues of industrial relevance to high degree of basic research. All these projects are in the initial stages of Implementation. In order to enhance the quality and quantity of SUPRA projects, SERB has also designed a SERB SUPRA SEED grant as feeder line and identified a finite number of projects. SERB shall endeavour to achieve the suggested academia-industry-government convergence, which is also being separately addressed via Impacting Research Innovation and Technology(IMPRINT), Industry Relevant R&D (IRRD) and newly launched Fund for Industrial Research Engagements (FIRE) programs. Appropriate frameworks will be developed to synergize relevant SERB-SUPRA projects with industry for possible translation.

CHAPTER – II

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

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTIONAL AND HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING Recommendation/Observation 2.1 The Committee observes that the Department has been able to achieve most of its targets during the years 2018-19 and 2019-20. However, according to the information given by the Department, the target for enrolling school students for INSPIRE Award Manak Scheme was about 3 lakh, whereas the Department could enroll only 2.34 lakh students till 31.01.2020. Similarly, the target set by the Department to provide internship to students in science camps was about 1 lakh, whereas the Department could only enroll about 70,000 students. The Committee, therefore, expresses its concern on not achieving of these important targets and recommends the Department to take necessary measures to achieve these targets by the end of FY 2019-20. (Para 4.1.1)

Action Taken 2.2 INSPIRE Award MANAK Scheme targets to enroll one lakh students in financial year, out of ten lakh ideas/nominations. However, during the last three financial years a total of 9.40 lakh nominations have been received from schools, despite making all possible efforts to increase the nominations from schools. The selection of awards have been made on the basis of originality of ideas, submitted during the nomination process by the students through their respective schools. Concerted efforts are being made by the Department to increase the outreach of the scheme among students across the country. Efforts are also made in the direction of making value addition to the projects/ideas of the students, through mentoring workshops, organized at premier educational and technical institutions of the country. To enhance the enrolment under the INSPIRE Award MANAK Scheme the following measures are being taken by the Department: (i) Mass awareness building of the scheme is being undertaken through audio visual tools, social media platforms, brochures etc. so as to deepen the outreach of the scheme among school students in every corner of the country. This will help in enhancing the participation of school students in the scheme. (ii) Workshops at District and State level are being organized to sensitize various stakeholders such as education officers, Principals, school teachers etc., about the scheme. (iii) To increase the base of the students participating in the scheme, it has been proposed to include students of class 11 and 12 also. This will not only help quantitatively in enhancing number of nominations but also will auger the quality of ideas /projects.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Recommendation/Observation 2.3 The Committee was informed that an aggregate amount of Rs.1711 crore has been spent during 2019-20 by the Department, under various R&D related activities. The Department further informed that more than 50% of the total DST grants are finally spent in the private sector. The Committee recommends that the Department relook its policies and consider a higher direct allocation to the private sector with respect to Research and Development. (Para 4.3.1)

Action Taken

2.4 Roughly 50% of DST‟s budget of Rs.5600.11 crores goes to the private sector directly or indirectly through the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), 25 Autonomous Institutions and the three major Central Sector Schemes i.e. (i) Institutional and Human Capacity Building, (ii) Research & Development and (iii) Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment. The chemicals and other consumables used for R&D efforts and equipments and often times even the buildings for housing the laboratories are contributed by the private sector, of course funded by DST. Under the Scheme of Technology Development and Deployment, DST has funded 103 private companies through 28 Technology Business Incubators set up by the National Initiative for Developing and Harmonising Innovations (NIDHI). 2.5 In addition, DST has set up the Technology Development Board(TDB), which is a statutory body created under an Act of Parliament in the year 1995 with an objective of financially supporting private companies which are engaged in development of indigenous technologies or adaption of imported technology for local commercial application. Such financial assistance is extended by TDB in the form (i) Grants-in-Aid, (ii) of direct equity participation in the private sector companies and (iii) by way of providing soft loan @ 5% interest. For every one rupee invested by TDB in private companies by way of Soft Loan/Equity/grants-in-aid, there is a matching contribution of at least another one rupees by the recipient private company. TDB has so far signed 359 agreements with a total project cost of Rs.8361.49 crore (TDB‟s share is Rs.2177.89 crore). 2.6 TDB has also indirectly supported private sector Start-up companies, particularly technology focused Start-up companies by investing in 11 Venture Capital Funds (VCFs) to the tune of Rs.285 crores. These VCFs have in turn invested in 210 companies including 130 Start-ups and 150 technology focused companies. 2.7 Efforts are underway in TDB to prepare an Interest Subvention Scheme in coordination with financial institutions/banks which would enable TDB to financially support more companies. While Scientists in TDB will be responsible for technology due diligence of the applicant companies, the financial institutions/banks would take care of the financial due diligence. 2.8 The Government of India (Department of Science and Technology) has also established the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) through an Act of Parliament in 2008 with current year‟s Budget of Rs.1200 crores for exclusive funding of R&D efforts in Science and Engineering in the country. Chapter 4, para 10 (i) (b) of SERB Act, 2008, enables SERB to attract private funds for deployment in R&D, whereby the private industry could contribute a minimum of 50% of funds with remaining portion coming from the SERB. 2.9 In addition to TDB and the SERB, there is a Section 8 company, i.e. Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA), jointly promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and TDB in the year 2011. GITA facilities collaboration of domestic private companies with international companies for technology transfer/adaptation. GITA is currently having international collaboration with Canada, Spain, UK, Finland, South Korea, Ireland, Sweden and Israel. GITA has so far signed 51 agreements with a total project cost of Rs.137.07 crores. Thus there is a robust mechanism already available in DST for supporting private initiative and encouraging private sector investments in R&D through TDB/SERB/GITA. Recommendation/Observation 2.10 The Committee observed that the Department has an expenditure shortfall of 25 percent to 40 percent of the budget allocated in six of the eleven budgetary heads. This includes heads related to establishment expenditure as well as umbrella schemes of the Department. The Committee, therefore, expresses concern with the Department’s financial efficiency and planning. The Committee, therefore,

10 recommends the Department to implement a better internal monitoring mechanism to ensure financial prudence and maximum utilisation of allocated funds. (Para 4.4) Action Taken 2.11 Expenditure for the various establishment related expenditure and umbrella schemes during FY 2019-20 is given in the following table : Statement of Expenditure for the Financial Year: 2019-2020 Demand No. 86 - Department of Science and Technology (Rs.in crore) % Budget Revised % Sl Expendit PARTICULARS Estimat Estimates Expenditure Expenditure No ure vis-a- es (BE) (RE) 2019-20 vis-a- vis vis RE 2019-20 2019-20 BE 2019-20 2019-20 1 Secretariat 158.45 118.45 110.91 69.99% 93.63% 2 Survey of India 416.16 455.56 434.43 104.39% 95.36%

3 NATMO 25.75 27.25 22.53 87.49% 82.67% Autonomous 4 Institutions and 1182.70 1217.70 1217.70 102.96% 100.00% Professional Bodies Science and 5 Engineering Research 1000.00 956.57 956.57 95.66% 100.00% Board Science and Technology 6 Institutional and Human 1100.20 1091.30 1084.30 98.55% 99.36% Capacity Building Research and 7 611.00 589.00 584.10 95.60% 99.17% Development Innovation, Technology 8 Development and 872.35 811.87 811.79 93.06% 99.99% Deployment National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber 9 124.00 123.83 122.79 99.03% 99.16% Physical System (NM- ICPS) Technology 10 100.00 100.00 98.00 98.00% 98.00% Development Board Science Counsellors 11 9.50 9.50 9.91 104.34% 104.34% Abroad TOTAL- DST (REVENUE+ 5600.11 5501.03 5453.03 97.37% 99.13% CAPITAL)

It may be seen from the information given in the above table that while under six of the eleven budget heads, expenditure at the end of FY 2019-20 ranges between 98% to 100% of Revised Estimates, under three budget heads the expenditure is in the range of 82% to 95%. Under the budget

11 head „Science Counsellors Abroad‟, the expenditure is 104% of the Revised Estimates. The overall expenditure by the Department of Science and Technology during FY 2019-20 comes to 99.13% of the Revised Estimates.

CHAPTER – III

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

-Nil-

CHAPTER – IV

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

-Nil-

______

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. 16