Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has directed the officials of the various science departments to hunt and search for startups rather than waiting for them to reach out.
Presiding over a monthly meeting of Secretaries of Science Departments at Prithvi Bhawan here, he stressed that the departments should be able to identify and locate the eligible startups based on specific guidelines to support them. He asked the officials to showcase the success stories of the startups and promote them wherever possible.
During the meeting, the Union Minister conducted a thorough review of the draft plan for a National Science Conclave, the draft for a Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STIP), and progress made on several other issues discussed in the last meeting held on February 16.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has directed the officials of the various science departments to hunt and search for startups rather than waiting for them to reach out.
While reviewing the draft of the proposed National Science Conclave, he suggested that thematic and state-specific discussions could be included in the Conclave involving states, industry representatives, and other stakeholders. He opined that integrating various departments and avoiding overlapping activities would result in better output for every department.
The meeting deliberated on aspects such as inviting public suggestions for measures needed for better promotion of start-ups and innovations; placing India among the top 5 in terms of quality of research outcomes by 2030; ensuring at least 30% participation of women in science by 2030; making India be among the top 3 global leaders in STI by 2030; and achieving Aatmanirbharta in technology by 2030.
Dr. Singh directed the officials to ensure timely disbursement of fellowships. Further, the issue of setting up an inter-ministerial Integrated Media Cell for all S&T departments at Vigyan Prasar was also discussed in detail.
The meeting was attended by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Secretary, Department of Space, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Secretary, Technology Development Board, and representatives and senior officials of other science departments.
India Science Wire
ISW/SP/S&TMINISTRY/REVIEW/29/03/2022
