New Delhi/Chandigarh, April 2
Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has raised the issue of promoting innovation and scientific research infrastructure in Chandigarh. Taking up the matter in Parliament through his unstarred question number 6047, Tewari sought details from the Minister of Science and Technology that whether the government has undertaken any initiatives to promote scientific research, innovation hubs and technology incubation centres in Chandigarh.
In addition, Tewari inquired whether institutions located in Chandigarh, including universities, research institutes and technology centres, have benefited from funding under schemes such as Startup India, the Technology Development Board, or the National Research Foundation and requested the details if applicable.
The MP also sought the details of research grants, innovation clusters, start-up incubation centres, technology business incubators and research infrastructure projects supported by the government in Chandigarh during the last five years, year-wise.
Tewari further asked that whether the government proposes to establish or support the development of new research facilities, science and technology parks, innovation hubs or technology incubation centres in Chandigarh to strengthen the region’s research and innovation ecosystem and the steps taken or proposed to enhance industry–academia collaboration, technology transfer and commercialization of research outcomes through institutions located in Chandigarh.
Tewari noted that although the Minister had provided a detailed reply (copy attached), he added, “But what is disappointing is that the spends in the Union Territory of Chandigarh are very meager. If you examine Annexure-1 carefully, the Department of Biotechnology spent roughly 32 crores and Department of Science and technology another 52 crores in five years. Cumulatively, it is about Rs. 17-18 crores a year, which is really a very meager amount given that in research hubs globally government support runs into billions of Dollars of government support.”
Expressing further disappointment, Tewari said, “There is hardly any spend on the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies namely Robotics, Geonomics, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Semi Conductor Research and the internet of things to name a few.”
