REPORT NO. 338

PARLIAMENT OF RAJYA SABHA

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

THREE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHTH REPORT

Action Taken by the Government on the Recommendations/Observations contained in the Three Hundred Thirtieth Report of the Department- relatedTHREE Parliamentary HUNDRED Standing TWENTY Committee SIXTH on Scie REPORTnce and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change on the Demands for Grants (2020-21) of the Department of Space DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (2020-2021) th (PresentedDEPARTMENT to the Hon'ble Chairman, OF ATOMIC Rajya Sabha ENERGY on 30 November, 2020) (Forwarded to Hon'ble(DEMAND Speaker, NO. 03) on 30th November, 2020)

(Presented to the Rajya Sabha on _____ March, 2020)

(Presented to the Rajya Sabha on ______, 2013) (Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on ______, 2013)

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 EIGHTH REPORT

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

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

4. REPORT ...... 1-9

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 ...... 5-7

Chapter III. Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee ...... 8

Chapter IV. Recommendations/Observations in respect of which Final Replies of the Government are still awaited ...... 9

5. RECOMMENDATIONS/ OBSERVATIONS - AT A GLANCE ...... 10

6. MINUTES ...... 11-12

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. 25. Shrimati (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 ______#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 w.e.f.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 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 Eighth Report on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the Three Hundred Thirtieth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2020-2021) of the Department of Space, which was presented/laid in both the Houses of Parliament on 6th March, 2020.

2. There were 13 recommendations/observations in the Three Hundred Thirtieth Report of the Committee. Action Taken Notes on the recommendations/observations of the Committee were received from the Department on 22nd June, 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 Bhadrapada 19, 1942 (Saka) Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Rajya Sabha.

(iii) ACRONYMS

AMC Annual Maintenance Contract AMRUT Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation ASICs Application-Specific Integrated Circuit ATN Action Taken Note ATR Action Taken Report BE Budget Estimate BEL Bharat Electronics Limited CCTV Closed Circuit Television CHAMAN Coordinated Horticulture Assessment & Management using Geoinformatics

CISF Central Industrial Security Force CMOS Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor CSIR-NAL Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -National Aerospace Laboratories

DCN Data Communications Network DMS Disaster Management Support DoS Department of Space DWR Doppler Weather Radar ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research IIST Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology

INSAT Indian National Satellite ISRO Indian Space Research Organization MIDHANI Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited MNREGA Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MOUs Memorandum of Understanding PAN Permanent Account Number PMKSY Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana R&D Research and Development RE Revised Estimate RE Revised Estimate SCL Semiconductor Laboratory SDSC SHAR Satish Dhawan Space Centre VLSI Very large-Scale Integration (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 Thirtieth Report of the Committee on 'Demands for Grants (2020-21) of the Department of Space'. 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 Space in respect of the thirteen recommendations/observations contained in the Three Hundred Thirtieth Report. This has been categorized as follows:- Chapter I: Recommendations/Observations which have been accepted by the Government: Para:- 2.3, 3.3, 4.3, 4.5, 6.2, and 8(iii) (Total - 6) Chapter II: Recommendations/Observations which the Committee does not desire to pursue in view of the Government’s replies: Para:- 4.6, 5.3, 8(i), 8(ii) and 8(vi) (Total -5) 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: 8(iv) and 8(v) (Total-02). Chapter IV: Recommendations/Observations in respect of which final replies of the Government are still awaited: Nil. 3. The Committee desires that the Department 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.

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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 Gaganyaan Programme is a very prestigious national endeavour with global significance. But the budgetary allocation for 2020-21 does not reflect this importance. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the allocation under the Gaganyaan Programme must be enhanced by another Rs.3000 crore at the RE stage, as originally envisaged by the Department. (Para 2.3) Action Taken 1.2 The recommendations of the Committee are noted. The department has already communicated to Ministry of Finance regarding additional requirement under Gaganyaan programme. BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES SPACE TECHNOLOGY Recommendation/Observation 1.3 The Committee notes the overall progress made by the Department of Space under Space Technology, including the fiscal performance, with satisfaction. The Committee, however, would like to point out the unsatisfactory fund utilisation of the Department under the component ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility Project (TWT)’, where the Department has fallen short of the given budgetary support. Likewise, the Department should also be equally concerned over its financial performance under the component ‘Realization of Second Vehicle Assembly Building (SVAB)’. (Para 3.3)

Action Taken a) As on January 2020, the expenditure under the component ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility Project (TWT)’, was Rs 43.65 Crore. However, at the end of March 2020, the expenditure under the programme was Rs 98.11 Crore which is about 98.11% of the RE allocations. The Department shall exercise caution and optimally utilise the funds allocated in 2020-21. b) At the end of the Financial Year, an amount of Rs 8.28 Crore has been spent under the head ‘Realization of Second Vehicle Assembly Building (SVAB)’ which is about 99.9% of RE allocations. SPACE APPLICATIONS Recommendation/ Observation 1.4 The Committee takes note of various activities being undertaken by the Department under its Space Applications programme with satisfaction. At the same time, it wishes to point out that it is essential that all the Ministries/Departments of the Union Government and the respective State Governments should make full and timely use of the data being collected and disseminated by the Department of Space. The Committee, accordingly, is of the opinion that synergy between the Department of Space and other government agencies, both at the Centre and in states, needs to be further strengthened. In this connection, the Committee is pained to point out that the use of the ISRO- 2 developed Bhuvan has not become as widespread as the use of Google. This needs immediate attention at the highest level. (Para 4.3)

Action Taken 1.5 Presently, Bhuvan has about 2 lakh registered users and witnesses on an average 30,000 visitors per day. It renders large number of applications and services to support governance and developmental planning across 30 Central Ministries and more than 20 State governments. It is also rendering support to many flagship programmes of the government viz. AMRUT, Housing for all by 2022, National Mission for Clean Ganga, MNREGA, PMKSY, Jal Shakti Abhiyan etc. Large number of geospatial tools, including mobile Apps have also been developed tailoring to the needs of State governments. 1.6 The department takes note of the committee’s recommendation to widen the use of Bhuvan. The department proposes to take steps to demonstrate the potential of Bhuvan and enhance the utilisation by organising awareness programmes, circulating technical brochures and developing collaborative applications across user community. Recommendation/Observation 1.7 The Committee appreciates the efforts made by the Department on groundwater mapping. The Committee also appreciates the efforts made under the CHAMAN Programme by the Department, covering area assessment of seven horticultural and vegetable crops. However, the Committee is of the opinion that such an exercise should be undertaken in all the States and districts of the country. (Para 4.5) Action Taken 1.8 The CHAMAN (Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and MAnagement using geoiNformatics) programme is jointly carried out by Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), ISRO/DOS centres, ICAR institutes, Horticulture Departments and States Remote Sensing Centres. Under CHAMAN, 7 horticultural crops namely Potato, Onion, Tomato, Chilli, Banana, Citrus and Mango have been identified for production estimation.

1.9 In the Phase II of CHAMAN (2018-20), additional crops viz. Coriander, Cumin, Mentha and Oil palm are selected for techniques development toward area estimation. Currently inventory is being extended from 185 districts of 12 states to 327 districts of 16 states. However, the project covers about 26 states with the inclusion of site suitability and R&D aspects of horticulture crops. Further, after development of techniques in these regions, it could be extended to other regions based on findings. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SPACE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (IIST) Recommendation/ Observation 1.10 The Committee is, therefore, of the view that given its mandate and its impact so far, the Institute must be immediately granted the status of ‘Institute of National Eminence’ through an act of Parliament. (Para 6.2) Action Taken 1.11 A departmental committee set up for accreditation of IIST into an Institution of National Importance has worked out the modalities to be completed for approaching the Parliament for getting the act cleared. A Draft Cabinet Note has been finalized by the committee and the Department is taking further action towards the submission of the DCN. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

3

Recommendation/ Observation 1.12 ISRO's R&D and academic outreach programmes are still heavily focused in the southern part of the country and with elite institutions. Better coverage is needed in the eastern and north-eastern regions of the country as well. (Para 8{iii})

Action Taken 1.13 ISRO is collaborating with various educational institutions under its scheme of establishing Innovation centers, Incubation centers, Regional academic centers and space technology cells. Through this programme, ISRO is spreading its footprint in every region of the country.

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CHAPTER – II RECOMMENDATIONS/OBSERVATIONS WHICH THE COMMITTEE DOES NOT DESIRE TO PURSUE IN VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT'S REPLIES SPACE APPLICATIONS Recommendation/ Observation 2.1 The Committee is also of the opinion that the Department could have better utilised funds under the components ‘Earth Observation Applications Mission (EOAM)’ and ‘Disaster Management Support (DMS)' with prudent financial planning. (Para 4.6) Action Taken 2.2 Earth Observation Applications Mission (EOAM) projects are taken up to promote utilization of remote sensing satellite data and explore potential applications, involving research students. Many of these projects are nearing completion and also the cost of the Indian remote data has been significantly subsidized. These have led to progressive decrease in budget allocation. As on 31st March 2020, an amount of Rs. 68.57 lakh was spent against Rs. 50.00 lakhs planned. 2.3 Out of allocated budget of Rs. 1800 Lakhs for DMS Programme, an amount of Rs. 1150 Lakhs (64%) was spent as on March, 2020. The reasons towards less utilization of DMS Budget (2019-20) are attributed to - (i) delay in supply of spare modules for Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) from the manufacturer M/s BEL, Bengaluru and non-procurement of storage systems for DWR; (ii) DWR AMC delay and (iii) less expenditure towards procurement of satellite data. Department will take appropriate action to ensure better utilisation of fund. INSAT SATELLITE SYSTEMS Recommendation/ Observation 2.4 The Committee expresses its satisfaction on the performance of the Department under the head ‘INSAT Satellite Systems’. However, the Committee highlights the sub-optimal utilisation of budgetary support for INSAT - 3 Satellites, even though the actual allocation amount is very small. The utilisation of budgetary support given for India Data Relay Satellite Series (IDRSS) is equally discouraging. The Committee urges the Department to pay attention to both these areas. (Para 5.3)

Action Taken a) At the end of the Financial Year 2019-20, an amount of Rs 1.45 Crore has been spent under INSAT-3 Satellite against an allocation of Rs 2.40 Crore in RE. INSAT-3 Satellite systems have been realised with one ground spare satellite (INSAT-3DS) to be launched. b) At the end of the Financial Year, an amount of Rs 43.14 Crore has been spent under the head IDRSS against an allocation of Rs 43.75 Crore in RE. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS Recommendation/ Observation 2.5 The Committee had visited a number of ISRO facilities in Thiruvananthapuram, Sriharikota, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad in December 2019. The visit was a great educational experience for all members, and the Committee would like to highlight the following:

5

(i) Efforts to indigenise electronic components in our space programme must be intensified, if needed in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. An import dependence of more than 80% is unacceptably high. (Para8{i})

Action Taken a. Presently, most of the electronics components required for Indian Space Programme are procured from foreign sources. This also includes some of the basic passive components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc. apart from microchips and other VLSI products of internationally accepted standards. ISRO, in order to meet it scheduled programmatic requirements is depending on import source for such components due to lack of Indian Industries participation in manufacturing of space grade components Indian Industries to manufacture basic components. b. Unlike the workload ISRO was handling few years back, viz realising 3 to 4 missions in a year, the throughput has increased manifold. Due to this, ISRO was not able to promise the industries the required minimum order quantity commitment as well as continued sustained work orders. c. The Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) of DOS, with required upgradation would be capable of meeting some of the critical and dual use components requirements of ISRO and strategic defence sectors. d. Enormous potential exists in exploiting the Indian market in this area. However, presently, the Indian industries are not prepared to venture into establishing state-of-the-art electronics fabrication facilities and foundries catering to national and worldwide electronics technology due to factors such as infrastructure, finance, customer base establishment, etc. Recommendation/ Observation 2.6 The country's space programme depends on a single foreign company for the entire supply of carbon fibre and composites. This is an area that demands urgent attention of the government. (Para 8{ii})

Action Taken 2.7 PAN based Carbon fibre technology is restricted and controlled by the Governments of Carbon fibre manufacturing countries as it is a very critical material for the development of systems for Aerospace, Defense and Atomic Energy. Hence ensuring the indigenous availability of PAN based Carbon fiber is an essential requirement of our country for enhancement of launch vehicle and satellite capabilities as well as for strategic sectors. CSIR-NAL, Bangalore has taken up efforts for indigenous development of T300 class Carbon fiber in lab scale in the country. MIDHANI, CSIR-NAL has developed production technology for aerospace quality standard modulus carbon fiber (T300 Class) and obtained CEMILAC certification for its Carbon fiber. Conversion of PAN based Carbon fiber into a pre-preg form through a Hot-melt system is another critical value addition process for effective utilization of Carbon fibers for Aerospace applications. Once the indigenous Carbon fiber is available on production scale, the pre-preging process can be fully carried out indigenously. Recommendation/ Observation 2.8 ISRO’s takeover of the Semi-Conductor Laboratory at Chandigarh is a major step forward and while microprocessor design capabilities have now been proven, the marked absence of microprocessor fabrication and manufacturing facilities does no merit to our country, which is a world

6 power in Information Technology. Such facilities must be established in PPP mode, if need be, with international collaboration. (Para 8{vi})

Action Taken 2.9 SCL is collaborating with advance R&D units and leading academic/technical institutions in the country. Sixty MOUs have been signed for sharing of knowledge and for cooperation in projects and R&D. • Under the MOU, R&D units and academic / technical institutions jointly work with SCL to address some of the critical R&D issues and come-out with solutions for the problem being faced. The strength of each institute / R&D organization is being utilised for joint activities. Leading technical institutions like IITs are extensively involved in SCL’s efforts for indigenization of chemicals and gases used in CMOS Wafer Fabrication Process • SCL is actively participating in Special Manpower Development Programme (SMDP) of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY). SCL supports institutions in SMDP, through fabrication of ASICs, to provide a real Silicon experience to students and faculty for human resource development in this vital area of microelectronics. • To galvanize microelectronics activity in the technical institutes, SCL has provided its PDK (Process Design Kit) for SCL’s 180nm CMOS Technology to over seventy (70) leading Engineering/Technology Institutes for undertaking VLSI Design targeted towards SCL Fab. As a part of its engagement with academia more than eighty (80) designs have been fabricated in SCL including Shakti Processor (IIT-Madras) and Ajit Processor (IIT-Bombay) which were designed, fabricated, packaged and tested in SCL.

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

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS Recommendation/ Observation 3.1 ISRO's launch facility at Sriharikota needs substantial upgradation of access and logistics infrastructure, particularly since the number of annual launches is projected to double in the next five years. The launch facility has a coastline of around 50 kms, which requires the highest level of maritime security. (Para 8{iv})

Action Taken 3.2 SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota is an Island surrounded by 53 km Bay of Bengal on the eastern side. Following are the security measures at the seafront:  24km out of 53km of critical costal stretch is secured with power fencing based intruder detection system and CCTV surveillance with IR illuminator, which will act as physical deterrent for any intrusions.  Further, long range (15km) thermal imaging camera based seaward surveillance system is under realisation to cover the entire 53km of coast of the SHAR Island with three thermal surveillance systems.  Realisation of seaward surveillance system with two thermal imaging cameras was completed.  Total 12 watch towers are constructed along the sea coast which are manned by CISF on 24 x 7 basis which will provide the continuous surveillance over the entire coast.  In addition to this, 5 outposts are in place along the coast which will provide the area dominance to the CISF.  Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will share the call sign during their patrolling. Further Recommendation 3.3 The Department in its Action Taken Note has only shared the details pertaining to the maritime security and no details have been furnished by the Department on the recommendation of the Committee on the substantial upgradation of launch facility at Sriharikota. The Committee, therefore, desires that a detailed note of the action taken in this direction or the action proposed to be taken on the recommendation/observation of the Committee, be furnished. Recommendation/ Observation 3.4 It is recommended that Sullurpet should be developed as a smart city which will benefit the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota as well. (Para 8{v})

Action Taken 3.5 Department welcomes the suggestion for developing Sullurpet as a smart city, definitely, ISRO centre will be benefitted from this development. Further Recommendation 3.6 The reply furnished by the Department does not reflect any action taken and progress made by the Department on the recommendation of the Committee. The Department was expected to take up the recommendation of the Committee with the concerned Government agencies at Central and State levels which seems to have not been done by the Department. The 8

Committee, therefore, recommends the Department to take necessary action in the matter and apprise the Committee of the progress achieved on this front.

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

NIL

*******

9

RECOMMENDATIONS/ OBSERVATIONS - AT A GLANCE

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS The Department in its Action Taken Note has only shared the details pertaining to the maritime security and no details have been furnished by the Department on the recommendation of the Committee on the substantial upgradation of launch facility at Sriharikota. The Committee, therefore, desires that a detailed note of the action taken in this direction or the action proposed to be taken on the recommendation/observation of the Committee, be furnished. Recommendation/ Observation (Para 3.3)

3.6 The reply furnished by the Department does not reflect any action taken and progress made by the Department on the recommendation of the Committee. The Department was expected to take up the recommendation of the Committee with the concerned Government agencies at Central and State levels which seems to have not been done by the Department. The Committee, therefore, recommends the Department to take necessary action in the matter and apprise the Committee of the progress achieved on this front. (Para 3.6)

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______

MINUTES ______

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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. 12