REPORT NO. 318

PARLIAMENT OF

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

THREE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH REPORT Action taken by the Government on the Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred Tenth Report of the Department- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests on the Demands for Grants (2018-19) of the Department of Science and Technology (Presented to the Rajya Sabha on2 nd January, 2019 ) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on2 nd January, 2019 )

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi January, 2019/Pausa, 1940 (Saka) Website : http://rajyasabha.nic.in E-mail : [email protected] 19

Hindi version of this publication is also available

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA

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

THREE HUNDRED EIGHTEENTH REPORT

Action taken by the Government on the Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred Tenth Report of the Department- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests on the Demands for Grants (2018-19) of the Department of Science and Technology

(Presented to the Rajya Sabha on 2nd January, 2019) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 2nd January, 2019)

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi January, 2019/Pausa, 1940 (Saka) CONTENTS

PAGES

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

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

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

4. REPORT ...... 1-13

Chapter I : Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Department...... 1-9

Chapter II : Recommendations/Observations which the committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Department’s replies...... 10-11

Chapter III : Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Department have not been accepted by the committee...... 12

Chapter IV : Recommendations/Observations in respect of which final replies of the Department are still awaited...... 13

5. RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS AT A GLANCE ...... 14

6. MINUTES ...... 15-17 COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE (2018-19) (Constituted on 1st September, 2018)

1. Shri Anand Sharma — Chairman

RAJYA SABHA 2. Shri Prasanna Acharya 3. Shri S.R. Balasubramoniyan 4. Shri Anil Baluni 5. Shri Rajkumar Dhoot 6. Shri Hishey Lachungpa 7. Dr. Raghunath Mohapatra 8. Shri Parimal Nathwani 9. Shri 10. Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy

LOK SABHA 11. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal 12. Shri Muzaffar Hussain Baig 13. Shri E.T. Mohammed Basheer 14. Shri Prabhatsinh Pratapsinh Chauhan 15. Kumari Sushmita Dev 16. Shri Ninong Ering 17. Shri Laxman Giluwa 18. Dr. K. Gopal 19. Shri Sunil Kumar Jakhar 20. Shri Ramesh Chander Kaushik 21. Shrimati Vasanthi M. 22. Shri Daddan Mishra 23. Shri Chirag Paswan 24. Shri Shivaji Adhalrao Patil 25. Shri Hari Narayan Rajbhar 26. Shrimati Sandhya Roy 27. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh 28. Shri Vikram Usendi 29. Shri Prabhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava #30. Vacant #31. Vacant

# Shri Raghu Sharma and Shri Nagendra Singh ceased to be members of the Committee consequent upon their resignation from the Lok Sabha w.e.f. 21st December, 2018.

(i) (ii)

SECRETARIAT Shrimati Sunita Sekaran, Joint Secretary Shri T. N. Pandey, Director Shri S. Rangarajan, Additional Director Shri Mohd. Salamuddin, Additional Director Shri Rajiv Saxena, Under Secretary Shri Shubham Bose, Assistant Research Officer INTRODUCTION

I, the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, having been authorised by the Committee to present the Report on its behalf, present this Three Hundred Eighteenth Report on Action Taken by the Department of Science and Technology on the Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred and Tenth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2018-19) of the Department of Science and Technology, which was presented/laid in both the Houses of Parliament on 13th March, 2018.

2. There were 27 Recommendations/Observations in the Three Hundred and Tenth Report of the Committee. Action Taken Notes on the Recommendations/Observations of the Committee were received from the Department on 26th July, 2018.

3. In the meeting held on 27th December, 2018, the Committee considered the draft Report and adopted the same.

ANAND SHARMA NEW DELHI; Chairman, 27th December, 2018 Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Pausa 6, 1940 (Saka) Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, Rajya Sabha.

(iii) ACRONYMS

BRICS : Brazil, Russia, India, China, CPS : Cyber-Physical Systems DST : Department of Science and Technology FAIR : Facility for Anti Proton & Ion Research Project FIST : Fund for Improvements of S&T Infrastructure in Higher Educational Institutions

ICPS : Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems IIA : Indian Institute of Astrophysics INSPIRE : Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research ITDD : Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment KIRAN : Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing OVDF : Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship PFC : Patent Facilitating Centre PIC : Patent Information Centres R&D : Research and Development RE : Revised Estimate SAIF : Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities SERB : Science and Engineering Research Board TDP : Technology Development Programmes TIFAC : Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council TOT : Training of Trainers TRCs : Technical Research Centres

(iv) REPORT

The Action Taken Report (ATR) of the Committee deals with the action taken by the Department of Science and Technology on the recommendations/observations contained in Three Hundred Tenth Report of the Committee on ‘Demands for Grants (2018-2019) of the ‘Department of Science and Technology’. The Report was presented to Rajya Sabha and laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on the 13th March, 2018.

2. Action Taken Note (ATN) has been received from the Department of Science and Technology in respect of all the twenty seven Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred Tenth Report. This has been categorized as follows:-

Chapter I : Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government: Para:- 5.3, 7.7, 7.8, 9.3, 10.3, 11.7, 12.14, 13.11, 13.12, 14.9, 14.10, 14.11, 15.9, 15.10, 15.11, 16.6, 16.7, 17.8, 18.7, 19.6 and 20.4.

(TOTAL – 21)

Chapter II : Recommendations/Observations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government’s replies: Para:- 8.7, 8.8, 11.12 and 20.5.

(TOTAL – 4)

The Committee is convinced with the replies furnished by the Ministry 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:- 6.5 and 6.6.

(TOTAL – 2)

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.

1 CHAPTER-I

RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS

Recommendation/Observation

1.1 The Committee observes that on the whole financial performance of the Department has been satisfactory. The Committee finds that the Department has been able to utilise 95% of allocated RE funds, in the years 2015-16 and 2016-17. However, when we compare performance of DST with other two Departments of Ministry of Science & Technology, we find that there is still ample scope for improvement. The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department to further strengthen its monitoring mechanism so that gainful utilisation of funds can be ensured. (Para 5.3)

Action Taken

1.2 The recommendation has been noted and accepted for further action. The Department utilised funds to the tune of `4634.93 crores (97.64%) of the Revised Estimates of `4746.81 crores during 2017-18, which is an improvement over previous years.

INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT

Recommendation/Observation

1.3 The Committee takes note of various initiatives undertaken by Innovation, Technology, Development and Deployment Programme particularly initiatives to communicate Science & Technology to the masses and inculcating scientific temper in the people through National Council of Science and Technology Communication in interesting and innovative formats. (Para7.7)

1.4 The Committee hopes that initiatives like Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) will encourage, empower and endow popular science writing through newspapers, magazines and social media by young PhD Scholars and Post-doctoral fellows. The Committee is also optimistic that enhanced allocation of ` 50 crore under the ITDD Programme will be meaningfully utilised. (Para 7.8)

Action Taken

1.5 The observations of the Committee have been noted.

BUDGETARY HEADS IN 2018-19

Recommendation/Observation

1.6 The Committee takes note of rationalisation of schemes and output-outcome framework for schemes in 2018-19 and hopes that the Department will be able to achieve the ‘Outcomes’ in the delivery of these services. (Para 9.3)

Action Taken

1.7 The observations made by the Committee are noted and the Department will make sincere efforts to achieve the Outcomes. 2 3

BUDGETARY ALLOCATION IN 2018-19

Recommendation/Observation

1.8 The Committee is of the opinion that curtailment of funds to the tune of Rs 1661.77 crore will hamper setting up of basic infrastructure for some of flagship programmes of the and will be detrimental to the growth of Science & Technology in the country in the long run. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Department may take up the issue of disbursement of more funds strongly with the Ministry of Finance at the Revised Estimate stage with adequate planning and implementing mechanism. (Para 10.3)

Action Taken

1.9 The recommendation has been noted for further action during 2018-19.

NEW INITIATIVES in 2018-19

Recommendation/Observation

1.10 The Committee welcomes big data initiative, advances made in deep learning, robotics, smart sensors and quantum communications. The Committee hopes that with the help of partner countries such as Israel, Japan and Korea, India will be able to seize the fourth industrial revolution and garner benefits from it. (Para 11.7)

Action Taken

1.11 The observation of the Committee has been noted and will be taken care while implementing National Mission on Inter-disciplinary Cyber Physical Systems.

NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING FACILITY AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Recommendation/Observation

1.12 The Committee finds that National Supercomputing Mission is now gathering momentum and hopes that it will realise the vision of High Performance Computing in near future. The Committee finds that fund utilistion by the Department of Science & Technology in the last three years has improved considerably and is now up-to-the-mark. The Committee recommends that the nodal Ministries namely Department of Science & Technology and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology must implement this Programme in Mission mode with the aim to give a boost to Make-in-India Programme as well. (Para 12.14)

Action Taken

1.13 The Department notes the recommendation of the Committee and will take all efforts to implement the Programme in Mission mode.

INCREASING R&D EXPENDITURE

Recommendation/Observation

1.14 The Committee feels that in order to enhance investment in R&D activities, number of Full Time Equivalents in science and contribution to R&D by both the government and private sectors needs to be significantly augmented. The Committee acknowledges that the challenge faced by India is low 4 expenditure on R&D. Public investment on R&D was only ` 52788.00 crore in 2014-15 which is lower than scientifically advanced countries. Even among the BRICS countries, India’s expenditure on R&D is the lowest. The Committee is of the view that public expenditure on R&D by the Government of India needs to be enhanced significantly so that India can march ahead in science, technology and innovation. (Para 13.11)

1.15 The Committee is also of the view that the Department should also take steps to enhance private sector’s contribution to R&D sector. This may be done in numerous ways. For instance, the Central and State Governments may consider offering tax incentives for private sector companies investing in R&D sector. Similarly, Government may also consider investing in start-ups in a big way, providing grants to the budding scientists and recognition of R&D units. The Committee feels that it is only through the sustained and joint efforts of both public and private sectors, Gross national expenditure on Research & Development can be increased. (Para 13.12)

Action Taken

1.16 The Department works in partnership with the private sector both in terms of raising financial resources as well as knowledge resources for start-ups in the S&T Sector. Some of the examples of these successful partnerships are partnership with Tata Trust, Lock Heed Corporation, Boeing, Intel, Texas Instruments, etc. In most of these programmes private sector contributes 50% of the financial resources and also brings to the commercial knowledge for commercialization of innovations in India.

1.17 Department is making conscious efforts to enhance public sector participation especially in the energy and water sector. The intervention emanates from user need and industry is mandatorily involved in technology development endeavours. This will be further strengthened in the coming year.

REBUILDING RESEARCH IN THE UNIVERSITIES

Recommendation/Observation

1.18 The Committee takes note of Department’s initiative for transformation of research undertaken in the universities and improvement in performance based on the Hirsch index in their contribution to research and publications. The Committee also notes the increase in funding by SERB and programmes like FIST, PURSE, SAIF and INSPIRE which are helping in improvement of research in the universities. (Para 14.9)

1.19 However, despite the achievements cited by the Department, the Committee finds that situation at the ground level i.e. in underdeveloped States and backward areas of the country has not improved very much. Most of the quality research is being done in Universities located in the major Centres of the country. Our Universities and colleges should ideally do both teaching and research but unfortunately in India the task of research has been handed over to the Research Institutions and National Laboratories and number of such Research Institutes is increasing with every passing year. As per an estimate, only 15-20% of Indian universities and colleges are doing both research and teaching, remaining are doing teaching only. (Para 14.10)

1.20 The Committee is, therefore, of the view that Department still have to put in tremendous efforts to make the quality of teaching and research in our Universities at par with the best in the world. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Department should provide sustained focus on the quality of teaching and research in our Universities and Higher educational Institutions. (Para 14.11) 5

Action Taken

1.21 The Department has noted the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. There is indeed transformation of research undertaken in the universities and improvement in performance based on the Hirsch index in their contribution to research and publications an evidenced in the PURSE Scheme.

1.22 “Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence” (PURSE) is a proactive initiative of the Department, which has built significant scientific enthusiasm and healthy competitive spirit amongst performing Universities in the Country. Six new Universities are brought under the ambit of PURSE starting from the Financial Year 17-18.

1.23 Performance for the period of 1996-2006 and 2000-2010 for Set of 14 Universities supported under PURSE has also been compared. Publications of this group of 14 Universities have increased by nearly 34% i.e. from 45421 to 60773 and Index increased from 540 to 881 in 4 years. Similarly, the increase in publications is about 60% i.e. from 40036 to 63880 for the period of 1998-2008 and 2002-2012 for another set of 30 Universities and Index also increased from 970 to 1548 in that corresponding period of 4 years.

1.24 FIST, SAIF & INSPIRE Program through its various components has made a reasonable impact in enriching the S&T knowledge base, apart from contribution in research publications and patents in the overall publication pool of country.

1.25 These Scheme i.e. FIST, PURSE, SAIF and INSPIRE Schemes have now been approved by the Government beyond 12th Five Year Plan period for a period of 3 years from 1.04.2017 to 31.03.2020 based on review of these schemes. It is therefore expected that the transformation momentum would be continued in full swing.

1.26 Department has noted the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. In FIST, many Departments from Universities and PG Colleges in less endowed regions have also received support based or their potential towards augmenting their research facilities for carrying out research and expected that these Departments and college would now rejuvenate and start pursing research. During the financial year 17-18, 46 Post Graduate Science /Engineering Colleges and around 120 less endowed University departments have been supported for augmenting their research facilities for pursing research at these places.

1.27 PURSE is a proactive initiative of the Department exclusively for nurturing the University sector. The scheme has greatly helped many state funded Universities in augmenting high end research facilities, which the Universities have not been able to acquire from other resources or projects.

1.28 Through the scheme SAIF, the services of high-end analytical equipment facilities are used by large number researchers especially from colleges and less endowed University departments for pursuing their research activities. Efforts in this direction are now focussed for strengthening these activities towards facilitating research in the future.

INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PATENTS

Recommendation/Observation

1.29 The Committee takes note of the steps taken up by the Department for strengthening patent system such as recruitment of patent examiners and training modules. The Committee feels that having addressed 6 issues on the patent filing side, addressing patent litigation issues will also be crucial to ensure that the patent system effectively rewards innovation. The Committee finds that there is a lack of awareness about patent filing and backlog in granting patents in India. Pendency rate in granting patent is also very high. The Department needs to spread awareness about importance of patenting to secure knowledge in the globalised world. (Para 15.9)

Action Taken

1.30 Patent Facilitating Centre (PFC), Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) and Patent Information Centres (PIC) in states are doing large number of Patent awareness workshops in the country every year. Besides, DST has given responsibility to PFC TIFAC to conduct 3 to 4 Training of Trainers (TOT) programme for coordinators of PICs and University IPR Cells. One such Training of Trainers (TOT) for southern region has already been conducted at Chennai from April 17 to May1, 2018, Department will also conduct more such TOTs in future.

1.31 PFC, TIFAC also joined hands with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) to participate in awareness campaign under National IPR Policy and conducted a week long Training of Trainers (TOT) programme involving Women Scientists.

Recommendation/Observation

1.32 The Committee expresses its concern about low number of patents filed within India and is of the view that Department not only needs to spread awareness about patenting but also help create patent professionals. The Committee also finds that there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of expert human resource in the field of intellectual property management in India. (Para 15.10)

Action Taken

1.33 DST under its scheme Women Scientist Scheme (WOS-C) popularly known as KIRAN IPR which is being implemented by PFC TIFAC has created a pool of about 600 Women Scientists who are trained on IPR for one year. This pool of KIRAN IPR alumni consists of 10% of active registered patent agents in India as well as 10% of patent facilitators registered under start-up facilitators. PFC TIFAC has selected 120 Women Scientists for one year training on IPR for 10th Batch of KIRAN IPR and training will start from June 1, 2018. It is a regular annual programme having 120 seats.

Recommendation/Observation

1.34 The Committee, therefore, is of the view that setup like Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) of the DST should be made “Centre of Excellence” and be provided necessary infrastructure and support in providing specialised IPR training to staff of Patent offices. The Committee commends efforts of the TIFAC for providing one year training on patent and IPR but feels that there is still dearth of skilled manpower in the field of Intellectual Property Rights/Patents. The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department not only to impart training to more people but also encourage universities to introduce short and medium term courses for training in patenting particularly in bio-sciences and biotechnology. (Para 15.11)

Action Taken

1.35 Department has reviewed the Patent Facilitation Programme consisting of PFC at TIFAC and PICs in states and recommended strengthening them with enhancement of activities of awareness and facilitation. 7

With regards to training of Patent offices, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has designated National Institute of IP Management at Nagpur as training centre hence DST may not have direct role in this. It may be noted that in all courses particularly bio-sciences and biotechnology, universities already have credit courses on IPR as part of their curriculum, however Department will further send a request to UGC and AICTE to incorporate such courses through appropriate channel from time to time.

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF ASTROPHYSICS

Recommendation/Observation

1.36 The Committee appreciates the efforts of research scholars, faculty and the other authorities of Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The Committee also takes note of substantial progress in building of important instruments of Aditya-L1 mission as lead institution. The Committee also recommends that IIA community should leave no stone unturned to strengthen their efforts and capabilities to reach greater heights in the frontier areas of Astrophysics and to initiate research in new areas of high energy physics and to reach the next level of performance and excellence. (Para 16.6)

Action Taken

1.37 The Department is thankful to the Committee for the words of appreciation. The recommendations made by the Committee have been communicated to the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru. The Department would, however, like to submit that IIA will be realistically able to make forays into those new areas of high energy physics which have connections with astrophysics.

Recommendation/Observation

1.38 The Committee is also happy to note that UV Imaging Telescope built by Indian Institute of Astrophysics is functioning well two years after its launch with the ASTROSAT Satellite. The Committee also takes note of excellent fund utilisation by the IIA in last three years and recommends that Department of Science and Technology should make sure that the Institute does not face any financial hindrance in undertaking its Research. (Para 16.7)

Action Taken

1.39 The Department will make every effort to make necessary financial resources available to IIA within the Department’s allocations for maintaining its scientific excellence.

SURVEY OF INDIA

Recommendation/Observation

1.40 The Committee is aware that Survey of India had started the task of its modernisation in Twelfth Five year Plan. However, it could not complete the same by 2017. The Committee while taking note of launching of ‘Nakshe’ portal and Geo-portal initiative of Survey of India hopes that task of modernisation of India’s oldest organisation will be completed on priority basis. (Para 17.8)

Action Taken

1.41 Development of Geo-Portal for public has been completed by Survey of India and it has been launched on 11.05.2018. Work on G2G Portal is at advanced state of security audit. Other modernization activities are also being undertaken in a time bound manner. 8

EFFORTS TO ARREST BRAIN-DRAIN

Recommendation/Observation

1.42 The Committee takes note of the schemes run by the Department that have resulted in arresting brain-drain of accomplished scientists particularly National Post-doctoral Fellowship, INSPIRE and Early Career Research Scheme. The Committee also notes that through Visiting Advanced Joint Research Scheme, Overseas Visiting Doctoral Programme and Ramanujan fellowship the Department is trying to bring our best minds back. The Committee hopes that these initiatives will create conducive environment for doing research in the country at par with international standards and yield desired results. (Para 18.7)

Action Taken

1.43 The observation of the Committee has been noted. The Department would also like to submit that the call for applications from prospective Indian Doctoral students has been made open. A web portal for Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (OVDF) Programme (http://www.serbonline.in/SERB/ovdf) to facilitate submission of applications, status updation, peer review process, financial processing etc. has been put in place.

KIRAN PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN

Recommendation/Observation

1.44 The Committee notes that there is a very small share of the women in the scientific R&D in the country. The Committee feels that the Department and various institutes under it should also be forthcoming in recruiting more female researchers and scientists into their organisation. While taking note of steady increase in number of women scientists being supported under different schemes, the Committee feels that the number is still trifling. The Committee feels that the ‘KIRAN’ for women should not only iron out the problems and difficulties but also empower women scientists to pursue a career in scientific research and also augmenting the women pool of scientists in the country. The Committee also takes note of setting up of Standing Committee for women in Science in the Department and hopes that its recommendations will be executed in letter and spirit. (Para 19.6)

Action Taken

1.45 The recommendations of PSC are gratefully acknowledged. While taking cognizance of the same, DST will further strengthen ‘KIRAN’ to not only substantially increase the participation of women from the realm of Science & Technology but also empower them in FY2018-19. DST will also make efforts to further implement the recommendations of Standing Committee for Promoting Women in Science.

NODAL DEPARTMENT FOR DOING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS AND MEDICINE (STEMM) RESEARCH

Recommendation/Observation

1.46 Another problem is that products/technologies developed by the Ministries/Departments are not getting commercialised. There is a small number of scale up products available of the technologies developed in the market. The Committee is of the view that technology lying in the labyrinth of the laboratories is malingerer and its success lies in application for benefit of the humanity. (Para 20.4) 9

Action Taken

1.47 The Department has set up Technical Research Centres (TRCs) in five of its Autonomous Institutes to promote translational research up to pre-commercialization stage and transfer of technologies so developed to industry for commercialization.

1.48 Technology Development Programmes (TDP) are designed to convert proof-of-concept for technologies/techniques/processes/products into advanced protypes for validation and demonstration in actual field settings. Applicants are encouraged to involve industry from the inception of the project wherever possible. CHAPTER – II

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

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT SECTOR

Recommendation/Observation

2.1 The Committee finds that justification provided by the Department for underutilisation is understandable in case of highly scientific collaborative efforts such as India-based Neutrino Observatory, Thirty Metre Telescope & FAIR (Facility for Anti Proton & Ion Research Project). However, the reasoning that the reduction at RE stage was due to overall reduction in allocation is hardly convincing. Surrendering funds in R&D Sector, wherein India is already lagging behind countries like South Korea, Japan, Israel, USA and China, even in R & D expenditure as percentage of GDP (GERD) reflects poorly on the performance of the Department.(Para 8.7)

2.2 The Committee is of the firm view that surrender of funds in other schemes shows poor spendability under the scheme. The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department should try to be more realistic in anticipating the outcome of the schemes in order to maximize fund utilisation in R&D Sector. (Para 8.8)

Action Taken

2.3 Surrender of budget in capital asset at RE stage under International Cooperation Programme was due to change in the strategy of BRICS R&D Programme. It was planned that support for equipment will be provided for projects approved under this programme. While only an incremental support for equipment is provided against the last call.

2.4 The Department is keeping a close watch on the progress made in the highly scientific collaborative projects such as India-based Neutrino Observatory, Thirty Meter Telescope and Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research etc., so that the funds allocated for these projects are optimally utilized. During 2017-18, 97.81% of funds allocated under Mega Facilities programme at RE stage were utilized.

NEW INITIATIVES in 2018-19

Recommendation/Observation

2.5 The Committee welcomes the initiatives taken by the Department such as Cyber-Physical- Systems (CPS) and Quantum Information Science & Technology (QuST) and hopes that success in these initiatives would give much needed boost to Cyber security and Quantum Information Science & Technology. The Committee, therefore, recommends that adequate budgetary provisions should be made for these extremely important initiatives to make India future ready. (Para 11.12)

Action Taken

2.6 Yes, the department will be making efforts for getting funds at RE Stage, once NM-ICPS is approved. As of now, no specific funds are earmarked for ICPS programme. 10 11

NODAL DEPARTMENT FOR DOING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS AND MEDICINE (STEMM) RESEARCH

Recommendation/Observation

2.7 The Committee also feels that an effective Co-ordination mechanism amongst the Scientific Ministries/ Departments is needed in order to ensure that laboratories and Institutes are integrated seamlessly and required facilities for commercialisation is provided. The Committee, therefore, recommends that Department of Science & Technology may co-ordinate in formulating an action plan with the scientific Ministries/ Departments in this regard and the Department of Science & Technology, being the Department responsible for science policy formulation in the Ministry of Science & Technology, may be made nodal department for this purpose. (Para 20.5)

Action Taken

2.8 The thematic programmes of the department on air, water and energy are implemented in coordination with concerned line ministries. Effective collaborative mechanism is available for energy programmes in which all the scientific ministries participate. Department would involve concerned scientific ministries for implementation of these programmes. CHAPTER – III

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

FUND UTILISATION IN 2017-18

Recommendation/Observation

3.1 The Committee notes that during the financial year 2017-18, total BE allocation of ` 4837.37 cr. was reduced to ` 4746.81 cr. at RE stage whereas the Department has been able to utilise ` 3655.71 cr. by 31st January, 2018 which implies that the Department is yet to utilise 25% of the Budgetary support with two months left in the completion of financial year. (Para 6.5)

3.2 It is noteworthy, that Department’s underutilization of allocated funds in schemes such as R&D, Science Counsellors schemes abroad does not present a healthy picture of the Department. The Department has to prioritise the utilisation of funds in Research & Development programmes and also fill up the vacancies in the Science Counsellors for optimal use of budgetary support. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Department should make all efforts to fill up the vacant posts of Science Counsellors and concentrate on R&D schemes so that allocated resources are effectively utilised. (Para 6.6)

Action Taken

3.3 The recommendation has been noted for compliance. All efforts are being made to fill up the posts of Scientific Attaché in Indian Mission abroad. The recruitment process for filling up the post of Scientific Attaché in the Indian Mission at Washington and Moscow is at an advance stage. The posts at Tokyo and Berlin shall be available with effect from 17/12/2018 respectively. The recruitment process for filling up these posts has also been initiated.

Further Observation/Recommendation

3.4 The Committee observes that the Department has not responded the recommendation of the Committee regarding underutilization of the Budgetary support as well as concentrating upon R&D schemes for effective utilization of the allocated resources. The Committee recommends that the Department should furnish their response to the above recommendation of the Committee.

12 CHAPTER – IV

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

Nil

13 RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS — AT A GLANCE

FUND UTILISATION IN 2017-18

The Committee observes that the Department has not responded the recommendation of the Committee regarding underutilization of the Budgetary support as well as concentrating upon R&D schemes for effective utilization of the allocated resources. The Committee recommends that the Department should furnish their response to the above recommendation of the Committee. (Para 3.4)

14 MINUTES

V FIFTH MEETING

The Committee met at 3.00 P.M. on Thursday, the 27th December, 2018 in Committee Room No. 4, ‘A’ Block, Ground Floor, Parliament House Annexe Extension, New Delhi.

MEMBERS PRESENT 1. Shri Anand Sharma — Chairman

RAJYA SABHA 2. Shri S.R. Balasubramoniyan 3. Shri Anil Baluni 4. Shri Parimal Nathwani

LOK SABHA 5. Shri E.T. Mohammed Basheer 6. Shri Prabhatsinh Pratapsinh Chauhan 7. Shri Sunil Kumar Jakhar 8. Shri Ramesh Chander Kaushik 9. Shrimati Vasanthi M. 10. Shri Daddan Mishra 11. Shri Harinarayan Rajbhar 12. Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh 13. Shri Vikram Usendi

SECRETARIAT Shrimati Sunita Sekaran, Joint Secretary Shri T.N. Pandey, Director Shri S. Rangarajan, Additional Director Shri Mohd. Salamuddin, Additional Director Shri Rajiv Saxena, Under Secretary

2. At the outset, the Chairman welcomed the Members to the meeting of the Committee. He informed the Members that the meeting had been convened to consider and adopt the draft 317th, 318th, 319th, 320th, 321st, 322nd and 323rd 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 (2018-19) of the Ministries/Departments of Biotechnology; Science and Technology; Scientific and Industrial Research; Space; Environment, Forest and’ Climate Change; Atomic Energy; and Earth Sciences respectively. The Committee, then, considered the draft 317th to 323rd reports and adopted the same.

3. The Committee decided to present/lay its 317th to 323rd reports in both the Houses of Parliament on the 2nd January, 2019. The Committee also authorised the Chairman to decide the names of the Members for presentation/laying of the reports in both the Houses of Parliament.

4. The meeting of the Committee adjourned at 3.25 P.M.

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