Policy Formulation and Implementation

19.16 It is important to create on an urgent basis appropriate instruments relating to policy formulation for science and technology and for S & T planning. At the apex level, there will be a Cabinet Committee on Science and Technology which will consider all important issues related to science and technology. The Cabinet Committee will be supported by the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet. This Committee will critically assess the progress of S & T policies in relation to the aspirations of the people and in relation to the achievements of advanced nations and make appropriate recommendations to the Government.

19.17 The Department of Science & Technology will have the overall responsibility for the implementation of science and technology policy. administering special research institutions especially in their nascent stages and promoting scientific research in frontier areas. The Department will also play the role of drawing on the expertise available in the agencies, Ministries/Departments and universities.

19.18 There is need to have in the economic Ministries, particularly those concerned with large investments, properly structured Information Planning & Analysis Groups staffed with professional scientists and technologists and headed by senior scientists technologists, who will function as Scientific Advisers to the Ministers; it has to be ensured that their views are given appropriate consideration. What is important is to ensure that in all areas of priority in the Plan, where large investments are to be made the S & T component is clearly identified and broken down into tasks that can be assigned to institutions capable of working on them (whether coming under the concerned Ministry or otherwise) and where necessary, new capabilities built an It has been past experience that there is very little correlation between R & D decisions and activities on the one hand and investment and production decisions on the other,or between R & D scientists and decisions relating to import of know-how.

19.19 The Planning Commission's role is with regard to the optimal allocation and utilisation of resources to fulfill national aspirations and goals. S & T has an important role to play in specifying the manner in which these aspirations can be met in the shortest possible time at minimal cost. The plan programmes of the economic ministries and State Governments in various sectors of the economy have to be appropriately analysed in the Planning Commission with a view to integrating the S & T plans and programmes as a part of the investment plans. This would call for clear delineation of the S & T information for planning purposes, analysis of the capabilities and content of the S & T programmes and advice on priorities for investments in S & T. Programmes emerging from bilateral and multilateral foreign assistance agreements would need to be harmonised with the national science and technology plans and policies. The Planning Commission would need to be supported by an appropriate structure for S&T advice, staffed with professional scientists and technologists and headed by a senior scientist as Scientific Adviser.

19.20 It is only in recent years that a number of enterprises and a few departments of the Government have set up in-house R & D organisations. Their efforts have been mostly confined to providing assistance in establishing process and product standards, substituting imported raw materials and intermediates and towards bringing about product improvements based on feed back from the market or users.A major initiative in the Plan would be to induce the public and private enterprises to enlarge their nascent R & D capabilities to grow rapidly with a view to engaging them in the task of promoting technologi-

322

cal innovations. These would also need to be facilitated through appropriate institutional Mechanism to enable the managements of such enterprises to have R&D advice in the pursuit of technological in- novations as a part of corporate planning.

19.21 Financial institutions and development banks could play a useful role in evaluation of technology, preinvestment studies, choice of technology, risk taking in the use of indigenous technology, facilitating horizontal transfer of technology etc.

19.22 The activities of the National Research and Development Corporation (NRDC) need to be radically modified so that apart from licensing indigenous technologies, it vigorously promotes research and development. It should also concern itself with evolving mechanisms for dissemination and transfer of technology within the country, export of Indian technologies and mutual transfer of technology bet- ween developing countries.

19.23 There has to be a National Register of foreign collaboration. The prime contractor of any project must invariably be Indian; there must also be a commitment to associate appropriate Indian R&D activities with all import of know-how, and thereafter a commitment to ensure a scale of investment in R&D for the absorption of the import of know-how and subsequently for its adaptation, improvement and conversion to new technologies.

19.24 The import of technology should be preceded by advice tendered by competent groups in the larger interest of the country. The imports should be so planned as to result in their internal dissemination and further development as far as possible.

19.25 A strong information base is a prerequisite for a S&T plan with self-reliance as one of its principal objectives. Since information is utilised not only for the understanding of current status but also for anticipating the shape to things to come, it strong base for the pursuit of intellectual efforts in the direction of technological forecasting, information analysis, R&D management etc. has to be created. Computerised net-works for handling of information would have to be institutionalised to meet the require- ments of policies trends of research, monitoring on global level, resources availability, industrial, technological and market intelligence.

19.26 Steps will have to be taken to bring scientists and society together through appropriate feed back mechanisms. Science through proper communication should be made a powerful force to eradicate old irrational altitudes. A science information bureau would be established for this purpose.

19.27 A serious lacuna in the research system is the inadequacy of testing, calibration, standard and quality control facilities : these significantly affect the optimal use of national resources and health, environment and safety aspects while in use. The Sixth Plan would endeavour to promote a comprehensive Programme which will establish a national centre of standards and expand the existing laboratories, test houses and certification centres so that in due, course these can cover a large range of activities throughout the country.

Science and Technology and Rural Development

19.28 It is necessary to emphasise that application of existing knowledge to the solution of neglected problms of development, especially in inter-disciplinary areas with an additional socio- political dimension, often demands highly creative and innovative efforts and an application of a systems analysis capability of a high order, which is typical of airy S&T endeavours.

19.29 Rural technology should not be taken to mean primitive technology or technology of yesterday. A determined efforts is needed to take modern science and technology to the rural areas so that it is brought well within the material, financial and skill resources of rural people. Therefore, while searching for and improving upon such technologies which increase employment opportunities for our people, it will be simplistic and dangerous to confine indigenous efforts to relatively simple technology for rural needs and depend on import of technology in the high technology areas. We have also to ensure an appropriate mix of small,medium and large some technologies, in a manner consistent with our long-term interests.

19.30 A national rural resources corps of young professionals would be organised to cover, in the beginning, the tribal, drought and flood prone and hill areas. A similar corps of professionals trained in managerial skills would be developed for helping the small and marginal farmers. The first group could be of great assistance in providing the needed support for implementing effectively the employment generation, agricultural and industrial Programmes, the minimum needs programme and programmes of energy supply, housing and urban development, nutrition, elementary and adult education. The second group has the potential to make a signficant contribution to the processes of transfer of new agricultural technology to millions of small and marginal farmers who have continued to lag behind. These farmers need management support in the form of agro-services of various kinds in our villages, blocks and districts, which can be provided through a large number of young professionals trained in modern management techniques.

Science and Technology and Human Resource Development

19.31 S&T can obviously play a significant role in the promotion of human welfare. in the coming years. the benefits of science must percolate more effectively to the vulnerable sections of the community and backward areas of the country. The manner in which this is sought to be achieved is briefly set out in the paragraphs which follow.

19.32 AT for weaker sections: in promoting. the applications of science and technology for the benefit of the weaker sections, special programmes would be de-

323

vised in the Sixth Plan. A more coordinated and vigorous effort than in the past is needed to equip suitable persons from socially backward groups and weaker sections of the society to play a purposeful role in the S&T area. Consortia of S&T institutions could be formed in each district to provide the needed technical training and back up for the implementation of special programmes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the weaker section of the society. In order to ensure appropriate technological back-up for this programme, it is proposed to initiate an all-India coordinated research project for technologies for landless labour families to be jointly undertaken by major scientific agencies, State universities, colleges and technical institutions and to mobilise professionally qualified young persons for service in rural areas.

19.33 It will be the endeavour of major S&T institutions to follow an integrated strategy which will aim at increasing production and productivity in agriculture and allied sectors based on the better use of irrigation and improved technology. Programmes in the areas of agriculture, animal husbanday, village and small industries will receive special emphasis. In the hill areas, afforestation, soil conservation and water shed management will receive priority. Alter- native land management systems may have to be introduced to make shifting cultivation unnecessary. There is also need for introducing high-value, low-volume crops backed by processing and marketing to include horticulture, tea, coffee, spices etc. particularly in the north-eastern region. New technologies based on local raw-materials to minimise transportation cost and on the locational advantage of cool climates will also have to be developed.

19.34 A desert development programme will be implemented both in the hot and cold and zones of the country. The emphasis will be on arresting desertification through activities which restore the ecological balance, stabilize sand dunes and facilitate soil and water conservation. Plantation of shelter belts, adoption of water harvesting techniques and developing pastures to sustain the livestock economy will have to be vigorously pursued. S&T programmes for improved agricultural and animal husbandry practices would be intensified in cold and arid zones.

19.35 S & T for Women: The question of developmental activities related to women vis-a-vis science and technology has two aspects. First, there, is the contribution by women to the development of science and technology. Secondly, one has to consider as to how science and technology can contribute to improvement in the life and status of women generally. As regards greater involvement of women in science and technology, it is felt that the following areas deserve special attention :

(a) science teaching in girls' schools and colleges:

(b) Greater enrolment of women. in engineering, agricultural, veterinary, fisheries, and forestry colleges;

(c) better personnel policies to enable them to look after their families as well as continue in employment; and

(d) their involvement in the decision making process including opportunities for placement at higher levels of decision making.

The educational programmes should be so conceived as to pay greater attention to training both boys and girls to share responsibilities at home. Restructuring of courses in womens' colleges and training institutions, imparting of new skills to rural women and training in cooperative marketing for women are some of the other programmes that need he taken up.

19.36 Application of science and technology to the improvement of the life and status of women will depend upon the development of home technologies, suitable agricultural technologies and technologies for improvement of productivity. Forestry, sericulture, handloom and crafts like pottery could be considered potential segments of women's work where application of simple technology can go a long way in improving their productivity and give them enough time to participate in programme, for their educational and other development.

19.37 There is greater need to develop appropriate technologies for those working in the small and unorganised sector. This is particularly applicable to women facing serious occupational hazards in several professions leading to avoidable health problems. There is also a need for a coordinated research project to find out methods to improve the production efficiency and reduction of drudgery in the occupations of women. In the field of information dissemination, mass media could play a useful role in spreading information on technologies relevant to home needs such as care and maintenance of household gadgets, electrically operated utensils etc.

19.38 Special cells for promotion of S&T for women could be set up in the University Grants Commission, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, Departments of Atomic Energy, Space, Electronics Science and Technology and Defence Research and Development Organisation. Specific programmes relating to technologies for rural women and warding off of occupational hazards, have to be structured. There is also need to look into the personnel policies for promoting greater involvement of women in S&T. The coordinating role in this regard has been entrusted to the Department of Science and Technology.

19.39 Involvement of the Scientific Community The large S&T manpower available in the country has to be mobilised towards the objective of accelerating the pace of economic growth of the country. Measures will have to be taken to give a sense of involvement to the scientists, to energise the different segments of the scientific community and to utilise purposefully the scientific academics and professional societies. These are highlighted in the following paragraphs.

324

19.40 Young Scientists: The involvement has to be at the following three levels :

(a) development of the programmes of the institutions and organisations where the scientists are working;

(b) interaction with the State Councils of Science and Technology; and

(c) at the national level, there Is a need for a Proper mechanism for a continuous involvement of young scientists in the formulation and implementation of policies for science.

19.41 Scientific academies and professional societies: In planning of S&T, a sense of perspective and a futuristic outlook are essential Gaps in S&T between what exists in our country and that in the advanced countries have to be identified, particularly because S&T is to be used as an important instrument of our future development. Current trends in research have to be studied, state of art reports have to be prepared and forecasting has to be resorted to in several areas. The expertise available with the science academies and professional societies could be fruitfully employed for these activities. These academies and societies could interact with educational and training institutions in the matter of curriculum development, retraining and refresher course for the older groups in the profession and intensive training for special categories of professional scientists. They could organise seminars, and workshops where the society comes face to face with the decision makers, the scientific community and those concerned with implementation it grass- root levels. The academies and societies should work in close collaboration with State S&T Councils and State Planning Boards. Financial allocation for stimulating such activities has been made in the Plan under Department of Science and Technology.

Facilities and Amenities for Scientists

19.42 The Indian scientists are a part of the society for whose development they are deeply committed. The socio-economic problems faced by the scientists are not different from those of other citizens. Many of the younger scientists in their creative years have to devote too much of their time to problems of every day living while they would like to devote their time to thinking and researching. Attention will have to be, given to the problem of salary structure, housing, educational facilities and other incentive if research institutions are to be made more creative and greater returns is are expected from research.

S & T in States

19.43 The State Councils of Science and Technology are being activised under the new plan. One of the specific ways by which the State Councils could foster S&T in their own region could be to associate the national laboratories, university science departments, research scientists and professional societies in the States, in the identification of problem areas and application of S&T for their solution. The State Councils could also organise public discussion and debate on S&T policies, plans and programmes being followed or proposed to be followed by the various Central and State S&T institutions situated in the State. Dissemination of science and fostering of scientific temper should be the guiding principle for the working of these State Councils. This could be achieved by the publication of special journals in local languages, programmes for the children in schools and science melas organised in research insti- tutions in which a large number of people participate. The Councils could also commission mobile science museums for purposes of exhibition in rural areas.

Technical Cooperation in S & T