Science budget in 12th five-year-plan to go up considerably

Updated on: Thursday, December 22, 2011

The science budget in the 12th Five Year Plan will increase considerably compared to what it is now, said a member of the Planning Commission here.

"The science budget is going to be considerably enhanced. Both the Prime Minister and others involved in science planning and policy are very keen that we have a good plan," K Kasturirangan said after receiving the Sivananda Eminent Citizen Award given by the Santana Dharma Charitable Trust.

"If you are talking about a 10 trillion economy (in the future), you cannot have a poor science base. That is where the presently built science capabilities have to be sufficiently upgraded, made more inclusive. We also have to make sure that societal and other applications find their place. Our present assessment is that we should be able to spend two per cent of the GDP on science related activities for the 12th plan against 0.9 per cent," he said.

Exhorting youngsters to follow their choices and interests while pursuing their careers, the former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) said tremendous developments can take place in planetary exploration in the future.

Former ISRO chairman U R Rao, legal luminary P P Rao, G N Rao, founder-director of renowned city-based renowned L V Prasad Eye Institute, and CMD of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd(BHEL) B P Rao were also felicitated with the award on the occasion.

Science budget in 12th five-year-plan to go up considerably

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