More funds for S&T soon: Centre

Currently it is 0.9 pc of GDP

In order to promote science and technology in the country, the Centre is holding talks with public and private industries to contribute funds equivalent to one per cent of the country’s GDP during the 12th Five Year Plan, Planning Commission Member (Science) K Kasturirangan said on Thursday.

Stating that currently the expenditure on science and technology was a mere 0.9 per cent of the GDP, he said, the prime minister has assured he would like to boost it to two per cent in the 12th Plan.

This, however, would come with a few riders, he said. While the Centre would contribute one per cent, the additional one per cent would have to be pooled in by the private and public sector in terms of research inputs.

A decision in this regard is likely by December-end, he said, pointing out that C N R Rao, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Science Advisory Council, was playing a pivotal role in bringing this proposal to fruition.

Further, he said, the country would aggressively pursue collaboration with foreign countries and agencies in expanding India’s role in the area.

In his address, eminent scientist C N R Rao, who elucidated on the various technological developments happening in the areas of nanoscience and technology, cited the example of ‘nano nose’ — a tool, in its final stage of trial, developed in
Israel to diagnose breast cancer.

According to Rao, people afflicted with breast cancer breathe out unique molecules which is detected by the nano nose.