New Delhi, March 29 (India Science Wire): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Earth Sciences, Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh has directed the officers of various departments of science to go ahead and find start-ups and reach out to them and help them in moving forward.
He said this in a review meeting of science secretaries in New Delhi on Monday. The Union Minister asked the officers present in the meeting to highlight and promote the success stories of start-ups.
National Science Conclave along with progress on many other issues by Dr Jitendra Singh on this occasion; The draft agenda for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) was also reviewed. While reviewing the draft of the proposed National Science Conclave, Dr. Singh has suggested incorporating thematic and state specific discussions involving states, industry representatives and other stakeholders. He expressed the view that integration of various departments and avoidance of duplication of functions would surely result in better output of each department.
Inviting public suggestions to add the words Startup and Innovation in SITP format, adopting ways to put India among top five countries in terms of quality of research outcomes by 2030, target of 30% women participation in science by 2030 Issues such as determining India’s inclusion in the top three global leaders in STIs, and how to achieve self-reliance in technology were 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 senior officials of other science departments. The issue of setting up of an Inter-Ministerial Media Cell for all the departments of Science and Technology in Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous organization of the Department of Science and Technology, was also discussed in detail.
The launch of a single common portal for all scholarships, grants or fellowships is discussed on the occasion. Along with this, Dr. Singh has also directed the officials on the issue of delayed disbursement of fellowships. (India Science Wire)