Dr Jitendra shares with Lok Sabha budget hike provisions for Science, Technology, StartUps

STATE TIMES NEWS

NEW DELHI: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, addressed the Lok Sabha on budget hikes for Science & Technology and StartUps. He highlighted several initiatives to boost resources for innovation, research, and technology. Key measures include increased budget allocations for scientific departments, promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship, and encouragement of public-private partnerships. The establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation aims to increase R&D budget allocations in collaboration with industry.
Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 mandates companies with significant financial standing to allocate at least 2% of their average net profits towards CSR, including contributions to R&D projects in science and technology. No additional mandatory policies for industries to allocate profits towards R&D are currently under consideration.
Dr. Singh outlined initiatives to enhance the S&T sector, such as establishing Centres of Excellence, participating in mega scientific facilities, and providing extramural research funding. The government has scaled up funding in critical areas like Clean Energy, Smart Grids, and Climate Change Research and introduced National Missions like the National Quantum Mission.
The Ministry has granted autonomy to Autonomous Institutions (AIs) for initiating R&D activities and made relaxations in procurement procedures for scientific research. Programmes like lectures, seminars, and the “JIGYASA” initiative in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan aim to foster scientific temper and research-oriented thinking among students. The Ministry also provides doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships to support research in science and technology across the country.