By IANS
New Delhi : India will spend Rs.7.5 billion ($187.5 million) for carrying out research in oceanography and meteorological science, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said Friday.
Presenting the 2008-09 budget, Chidambaram said the total outlay for the Ministry of Earth Sciences would include Rs.2.94 billion for oceanographic research, Rs.4.32 billion for meteorology and Rs.240 million for other scientific research.
The oceanographic research fund will be used for research in polar science, including research in Antarctica, southern ocean studies and development of coastal research vessel.
Similarly, Rs.300 million will go to the prestigious Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and Rs.240 million for other ongoing activities like drugs from the sea, marine living resources, integrated coastal and marine area management.
In another scientific research, Rs.110 million has been given for National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (NCMRWF), Rs.130 million for Indian Institute of tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Rs.150 million for strengthening the seismic network, seismic and earthquake precursor studies.