New Delhi, (Asian independent) Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday called for closer Centre-State coordination for technological solutions and science-based remedies for state-specific or UT-specific problems and requirements.
An extensive exercise is being undertaken separately with each of the states and Union Territories to identify the areas where technological interventions can help in resolving diverse problems to enable ease of living for common man, Dr Singh said and cited the example of how the Jammu and Kashmir government will be assisted through the latest snow clearing technology while Puducherry and Tamil Nadu are being assisted in restoration and renovation/rejuvenation of sea beaches.
Singh was presiding over a high-level joint meeting of all the Science Ministries and Departments, in hybrid mode, at Prithvi Bhawan here. The meeting was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, Prof. K VijayRaghavan, Secretary, Earth Sciences, Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary, Science & Technology, Dr S. Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Space and ISRO Chairman, Dr K. Sivan, Secretary, Atomic Energy, Dr K.N. Vyas; Secretary, CSIR, Dr Shekhar Mande, Secretary, Capacity Building Commission, Hemang Jani, and other senior officials, a release from the Science and Technology Ministry said.
Dr Singh said that a series of meetings with state governments are planned, starting next week for Centre-State collaboration for ‘solution-based’ approach to identified S&T problems and to improve the use of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in states and local governments.
“The Ministry will soon write to all Chief Secretaries along with a proforma for specific proposals or requirements by the state governments and to designate a Nodal Officer for smooth coordination,” he said, adding that he is planning a National Science Conclave after completion of roundtable meetings with states involving Science Ministries and Departments from the Centre and all states and UTs to deliberate upon pressing problems facing India and effective solutions for the same.
he said that the move comes in the wake of the success of such an experiment with Central Line Ministries and Departments, wherein 168 proposals/requirements were received from 33 Ministries for providing technological support and solutions by all the six S&T departments including Space and Atomic Energy.
Science Ministries and Departments concerned have started working on different scientific applications for sectors like agriculture, dairy, food, education, skill, railways, roads, Jal Shakti, power, and coal.
With the help of the Capacity Building Commission, a template is also being prepared to take up theme-wise deliberations between Centre and States/UTs depending on specific needs, from place to place, the Minister said.
This initiative was launched by himin September last year, wherein representatives from all the Science Ministries including Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Atomic Energy, Space/ISRO, CSIR, and Biotechnology separately engaged in extensive brainstorming with each of the different Ministries of the Centre to work out which scientific applications could be utilised in which sector.