Discuss the Scientific and Technology Policy of Govt of India

Discuss the Scientific and Technology Policy of Govt of India

Scientific Policy Resolution (1958): 

    Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was instrumental for the adoption of Scientific Policy Resolution (SPR) by Government of India on 4th March 1958. It recognized science and technology as the key to national prosperity. India is scarce in capital and initial materials. She has to heavily depend on modern technology to overcome such limitations.

Aims and Objectives of SPR:

1. To promote, foster, cultivate and sustain science and scientific research-basic 'and applied.
2. To ensure adequate supply of highly trained and qualified research personnel by recognizing their work as an important component of nation's strength, and
3. To secure the benefit of science and technology to all the people in the country.

    Thus, the SPR acknowledged the cardinal importance of cultivating science and scientific thinking on mass scale by the masses by building large number of scientific manpower and applying the science and technology results to the economic and cultural development of all the people.

Technology Policy Statement, 1983:

    In response to the need for guidance on a wide ranging and complex set of inter-related areas of science and technology, industry, economy and trade, the Government of India had announced the Technology Policy. Statement (TPS) in January 1983. Its main objectives are to develop indigenous technologies and help absorption of the improved ones.

Objectives of TPS:

1. To attain technological conscience and self-reliance,
2. To blend a correct mix of technologies of mass production by the masses and for the masses,
3. To develop essential technologies in the critical areas which are nationally relevant and internationally competitive.
4. To upgrade both technologies and equipment on continuous basis.
5. To promote economic efficiency and quality in production, and
6. To ensure harmony with environment, ecology and habitat and so on.

The Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR) of 1948 and 1956: 

    It aimed at promotional, directional and regulative aspects of economic activity of the country. It sought to accelerate industrial and economic development by expanding large scale industries in the core sectors through public and co-operative sectors. It emphasized the need for equitable distribution of wealth among the population by the state by promoting basic and strategic industries. It considered massive import of both capital and technology essential for the industrial development of the country. The Industrial Development and Regulation (IDR) Act of 1951 was as an instrument of achieving the objectives of IPR. It allowed grant of licenses to select and thrust areas which are considered essential for economic development.

MRTP Act, 1969: 

    The Monopolies Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP)Act of 1969 extended its scope to private sector industries. Its main objectives were prevention of concentration of wealth, direction of flow of investment and business operations towards select industries needing advanced technologies and promotion of regional development.

FERA, 1974: 

    Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (PERA), 1974 extended scope of MRTP Act and covered private sector firms whose foreign equity was more than 40 per cent. Its main objectives were similar to that of MRTP Act. It allowed higher rate of foreign equity provided the firms operated in the high technology areas, exported all their manufactured goods and shouldered the responsibility of developing backward areas.

    Incentives for R & D: The government provided certain incentives to promote R & D by industries. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) formulated and implemented a scheme in 1973 to recognize in house Research and Development centers of industries by registration which are eligible for certain fiscal benefits including import of critical materials and equipment as per Open General License "COGL). They are also entitled for a grant of foreign exchange for deputation of experts abroad, allocation of special controlled materials, exemption of excise duties, Income Tax (IT) exemption up to 100 per cent of expenditure incurred on R & D, preferential treatment in licensing for utilization of indigenously developed technologies. Industries sponsoring research projects with national laboratories under C.S.I. R. are eligible to Income Tax deduction, subject to proper approval of competent authority. There is a provision of Income Tax deduction on the amount spent on a pilot or semi-commercial plant based on C.S.I.R. technologies and on expenditure incurred as enhanced capacity in the form of plant and machinery.

    Depreciation rate higher than 50 per cent is allowed to users of indigenously developed technologies. Central and State Financial Corporations operate several incentive schemes such as interest subsidies to encourage industries who venture to commercialize newly developed indigenous technologies. The subsidy varies between Rs. 20,000/- for small units and Rs. 1 lakh for large scale units. Interest free personal loans, under Risk Capital Foundation Scheme limited to 50 per cent of equity share in the project, is available for setting up of medium and large-scale projects.

RCTC Assistance: 

    The IDBI operates a Venture Capital Fund created by Government of India in 1986-87 budget by imposing 95 per cent less on all imported technologies. Finance Corporation Limited RCTC assistance is available in, three forms viz. 1) Conditional loan as an instrument of profit and risk sharing without any interest bearing. 2) Conventional loan carrying progressive interest ranging 6-15 per cent per annum and 3) Direct equity participation in the company.

    A look at the trends in the growth of annual expenditure on science and technology activities and per cent share in GNP (Gross National Product) shows that though science and technology expenditure in absolute terms made a 742-fold increase, its relative share in the GNP increased only 50 times. Many developed countries spend 2 per cent of GNP or more on indigenous science and technology efforts. India's consistent efforts, to raise Research and Development expenditure have created a wide-ranging network of science and technology agencies and institutions.

    A readily altered pattern of distribution of Research and Development expenditure is seen now due to inter-institutional competition and changing socio-economic priorities. Defense related science and technology activities share the bulk of research and development its expenditure. Distribution of expenditure by nature of research is experimental development 30 per cent, applied research 30 per cent, basic research 14% and other 24 per cent Likewise, discipline 49 per cent, natural science 31 per cent, agricultural science 15 per cent and medical science 5 per cent.

Activities of Development of Science and Technology Infrastructure:

1. Agencies for policy promotion and planning.
2. Agencies under Ministries and Development Boards to implement the policy formulations; and
3. Institutions undertaking Research and Development projects and programmers. The Ministry of Science and Technology is the nodal wing of the government. Individual powers are delegated to DST, DSIR and DBT. Besides, there are many state councils for science and technology programmers. 

The chronology of individual science and technology agencies set up by government are: 

1. CSIR (1942);-
2. ICAR (1947); 
3. ICMR (1949), 
4. DAE ((1954), UGC (1956); 
5. DRDO (1958), 
6. DST (1971), 
7. DOE (1971), 
8. DOS (1972); 
9. DOEN (1980); 
10. DOD(1981) AND DNES (1982).