The two-day conclave of State Science & Technology (S&T) Ministers to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Science City Ahmedabad, will explore State specific technologies and innovations for adoption and scaling up through an integrated approach with Centre's collaboration.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; Minister of State PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, said this after conducting a detailed review of preparations for the conclave beginning on September 10.
He said the central theme will be to present a Vision 2047 for the S&T sector with particular reference to meeting the S&T challenges and needs of States and future growth pathways and vision for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) in States. A broad mapping of priorities, challenges, expectations and technology needs of each of the States can be met through collaboration with various S&T departments of the Centre. The States/ Union Territories (UTs) can work in convergence for optimum outcomes with six Science Departments- the DST, DBT, CSIR, MoES, DAE and DoS. All these departments and industry representatives, will participate in the conclave, Dr Jitendra Singh added.
The two-day conclave of State Science & Technology (S&T) Ministers to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Science City Ahmedabad, will explore State specific technologies and innovations for adoption and scaling up through an integrated approach with Centre's collaboration.
He said that doubling private sector investment in R&D by 2030 and supplementing the country’s and State’s overall economy will also be a critical agenda of the discussion, in tune with the Atma Nirbhar pitch of the Modi Government.
Dr Singh informed that the conclave would feature special plenary sessions on themes like agriculture, focusing on underlying technological interventions for improving the farmers’ income. Innovation for producing portable drinking water, application of technologies like desalination, and promotion of clean energy through hydrogen mission will also be discussed. The plenary will also deliberate on the Deep-Sea Mission of Ministry of Earth Sciences and its relevance for coastal States/UTs and country’s future economy, digital healthcare, and synergizing science with the national education policy.
Besides, a special session with the CEOs of over 100 startups and the industry will try to explore solutions for State-specific problems. The Minister promised all support from the six science departments to the potential startups willing to work with State Governments with funding from all stakeholders.
The Union Minister said that the conference is being given a distinct format, focusing on new technologies relevant to each of the different States/UTs and their optimum application for ease of living. The meeting will also help break silos between the Centre and States while strengthening the science, technology, and innovation ecosystem through greater synergy across the country, he said.
Science & Technology Ministers of all 28 States, Administrators of 8 UTs, key officials from States – Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries in charge of S&T in the states, and all Science Secretaries to Government of India e.g., DST, DBT, DSIR, MoES, DAE, DoS, ICMR, ICAR, Jal Shakti, MoEF& CC, MNRE are expected to be represented at the conference.
The conclave, among other things, aims to create a mechanism to facilitate the flow of STI information and data between the Centre and States, and encourage capacity building of scientists, technologists and other professionals from States in key technology areas.
India Science Wire
ISW/SP/MoST/SCIENCECONCLAVE/05/09/2022
