By IANS
New Delhi : Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal Thursday said political commitment is required to raise government funding for science education and research, to two percent of country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Speaking at a function organised by industry lobby, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) Sibal said: “There can be no innovative science without the commitment of the public sector in funding basic science and research.”
“The investment flows for this critical activity need to be raised to 2 percent of GDP from the current 0.5 percent by the end of the 11th Plan (2012).”
The minister launched a World Bank Publication, titled “Innovation – Advantage India: Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”, at the function which was also attended by The World Bank, India director Isabel M. Guerrero and Ficci secretary general Amit Mitra.
Sibal said the central government has already tabled legislation in Parliament seeking to give incentive to government-funded universities and research institutions for producing patent-able products.
Stressing the need for global partnerships in tackling the global challenges of population growth and global warming, he said the natural disasters and new types of virulent diseases that climate change will unleash will have to be countered through effective partnerships in the education and health sectors.