Centre to raise research fund for promoting innovation

To give a push to innovation, the government is planning to increase funding for research and development. Addressing the 70^th Foundation Day function of Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences (Independent Charge), MoS in Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Department of Personnel and Training, Atomic Energy and Space said that the government is committed to increase the funding for scientific research and also invited the Indian industry to contribute more for research and development. Government will also encourage Public Private Partnership (PPP) in view of the emerging areas of innovation, he added.
 
Informing that IICT has also set up a biotech incubation centre, Dr Singh stated that various scientific institutions based in Hyderabad could coordinate with each other to develop this city as a knowledge hub of India.
 
Scientific researchers are the real nation builders, who work day and night away from the limelight of media or public and remain unaffected by upheavals in their surroundings, said Dr Singh.
 
He added said that over the last seven decades, the IICT and other establishments of the CSIR have not only fulfilled the academic appetite of researchers but have also created technologies which have contributed to the economy of the nation.
 
Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, said that IICT is the pride of Hyderabad. He emphasised the need to have more women working in the area of science and technology.