M A I N   N E W S

Manmohan wants 2% of GDP for R&D in science 
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 3
Science was yet to get its ‘due’, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today and emphasised that the science needed to be high in country’s value system to get ‘moral and material’ support from entire society for its development.

President of Indian Science Congress RC Sobti and Jammu varsity V-C Prof MPS Isher (blue turban) felicitate PM Manmohan Singh at a function in Jammu on Monday. Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are also seen in the picture. Tribune Photo: Anand Sharma

He stressed on enhancing the country’s annual expenditure on science and technology (S&T) to at least 2 per cent of the GDP besides seeking a ‘significant’ contribution from industry in this regard.

“I would like to stress on something that has troubled me for some time. I worry some time that science has not yet got its proper due in our value system. I would like science to be high in our value system so that our entire society provides both moral and material support for its development,” Manmohan Singh said at the inaugural function of the five-day 101st Indian Science Congress at University of Jammu here.

He said there was need to instill a scientific attitude and temper among the people as it would be essential for developing a “progressive, rational and humane society”.

Flanked by Governor N N Vohra, also Chancellor of Jammu University, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, also Pro-Chancellor of the university, Union Minister for Science and Technology, S Jaipal Reddy and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah, the Prime Minister hoped scientists and educators would ponder seriously on how they could achieve this transformation in the mindset of the society.

“The Department of Biotechnology has activated private-public partnerships in R&D in biotechnology. I appeal to the corporate sector to join hands with the government in realising the goals that we have set for our nation,” he said.

Last year, Bharat Ratna awardee and eminent scientist CNR Rao had expressed his displeasure over ‘inadequate’ government funding to the scientific community when he had said, “Why the hell have these idiots (politicians) given so little to us despite what we have done. For the money that the government has given us we have done much more.”

Batting for Bt crops, the Prime Minister said India should not succumb to unscientific prejudices against genetically modified crops. “Use of bio-technology has great potential to improve yields. While safety must be ensured, we should not succumb to unscientific prejudices against Bt crops,” he said, adding, “Our government remains committed to promoting the use of these new technologies for agricultural development.”

He urged the scientific community to increase communication and engagement with society at large in explaining socially productive applications of technology alternatives and for improving the productivity of small and medium enterprises.

To ensure food security and to improve land and water productivity, he said “We have to launch a national drive for an ever-green revolution. This will test the ingenuity of our agricultural scientists”. The Prime Minister also said India currently occupied an “enviable position” in the field of atomic energy and high-energy physics.

“Indian nuclear scientists are attracting global interest in their effort to develop a Fast Breeder Reactor. I expect the prototype under construction in Kalpakkam to be completed this year. It will be a great day for Indian science and technology because we will be one of the few countries in the world with leadership in a completely new area of nuclear technology that can contribute non-polluting electrical power,” he said.

Earlier, he awarded top scientists for their contribution in the field of the science. The Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Professor MPS Isher presented a vote of thanks.

The Prime Minister announced scientific R&D projects, including a National Mission on High Performance Computing and a Neutrino-based Observatory in Tamil Nadu, with an outlay of about Rs 9,000 crore.

“I am happy to announce another National Mission on High Performance Computing with an outlay of Rs 4,500 crores. A Neutrino-based Observatory is proposed to be established in Tamil Nadu at a cost of about Rs 1,450 crore. We are considering establishment of a National Geographical Information System with an outlay of about Rs 3,000 crore,” he said.

He also announced that a ‘National Mission on Teaching’ to “enhance the esteem of teachers” was also being launched. “India will partner the international scientific community in establishing some of the world’s major R&D projects. India is joining the CERN Institute, a premier European Organisation for Nuclear Research, as an associate member,” Manmohan Singh said. The Prime Minister asserted that his government had invested in several areas to ensure that India remained at the cutting edge of science.