Utilize remote sensing satellites for development: Punjab govt

Punjab government today said India should make use of its remote sensing satellites more efficiently for development in agriculture and rural and urban planning.
"India, having the largest constellation of remote sensing satellites, needs to utilize these much more efficiently for this technology in agriculture, rural and urban development planning," Punjab Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said during a state meet.
The meet was organized by Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) in collaboration with Indian Space research Organisation (ISRO)/Department of Space.
Dhindsa said there was need to institutionalize a mechanism for integrating space applications in governance and development.
He also urged the scientists, User Departments and states to develop applications in a manner that they benefit the poor and needy sections of society.

A state-specific portal providing citizen-centric data services to various users was also launched by Punjab government on the occasion.
Dr Brijendra Pateriya, Director, PRSC, in his opening remarks said space technology and Geographic Information System (GIS) offer excellent movement to understand the matrix of natural, social, cultural variations and prepare a roadmap for future challenges.
Dr B S Gohil and Dr P G Diwakar Scientists of the ISRO emphasized to utilize the space technology for development planning in the fields of agriculture, soil conservation, drainage and irrigation, health and education by various development departments.