Rs 1,200 cr allocated to bolster science research

The government has allocated Rs 1,200 crore for strengthening basic science research in institutions of higher learnings, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said the allocation for 2007-12 was for infrastructure development in universities that would support scientific research.

He said a Task Force on strengthening of basic scientific research in universities had recommended that Rs 400 crore be provided every year for infrastructure development in universities.

The Task Force has been converted into an Empowered Committee, which now selects universities that need the grant for infrastructure development and monitors the spending.

Sibal said India lagged in university-level scientific research with its share of just 2.02 per cent of the total research done every year in the world. China, which was behind India in such research, has since taken over.

The Government is targeting a seven fold jump in research papers generated every year to 35,000 by 2012, he said.

Of Rs 123 crore allocated for development of infrastructure at universities this fiscal, Rs 66.63 crore had been released by November end, he added.