Chapter 13

The pressure of rapid population growth, resource depletion, and ecological damage give urgency to the need to realise the potential benefits of science and technology. What is needed is better diffusion, adaptation, and use of the new technologies to local problems and conditions. Science and Technology is not merely a tool for economic development, but a major change agent that exerts a continuing influence on the social, cultural and management aspects of the society. A resource scare state like Tamil Nadu must depend on and make optimum use of science and technology and, therefore, should invest in creating necessary infrastructure for advanced studies, research and application of science and technology in a substantial way. With these goals and objectives in mind, priority areas of research were identified and schemes were formulated and implemented during the past Five Year Plan periods by the various agencies in Tamil Nadu.

For the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-07), a sum of Rs.47.35 crores has been provided for taking up various schemes under Science and Technology to achieve the following objectives:

1. Inter-disciplinary research which concerns with respect to poverty alleviation, tribal welfare and women empowerment.

4. Promotion of Linkage with industry, National laboratories and R & D institutions.

For the year 2002-03 the expenditure incurred is Rs 193.94 lakhs as against the outlay of Rs.203.70 lakhs.

For the year 2003-04, an amount of Rs.186.79 lakhs has been proposed for this sector.

Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre was established in the year 1993 and is functioning with financial support from the Government of Tamil Nadu. This centre comprises the Periyar Science and Technology Centre, B M Birla Planetarium and Anna Science Centre including Planetarium at Trichy.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has sanctioned seed money of Rs.10 lakhs towards alienation of land for the establishment of Regional Science Centre including a Planetarium at Coimbatore. A land measuring 5.91 acres at Vilankurichy near Coimbatore city has been identified and taken possession by the Centre and the land has been fenced. A building to establish the Planetarium at an estimated cost of Rs.300 lakhs will be constructed. The Projector and other accessories required for the planetarium are to be imported at a cost of Rs.600 lakhs. For meeting the cost of Projector, a fund raising committee has been proposed to be constituted.

The Centre has proposed to establish a District Science Centre at Vellore for which a sum of Rs.5 lakhs has already been sanctioned as seed money for alienation of land for the centre. Land measuring 0.30-5 hectare has been taken possession of by the Centre. The apex Centre has also proposed to develop 25 District Science Centres in various districts of Tamil Nadu with an outlay of Rs.250 crores at the rate of Rs.10 crores per district centre.

A sum of Rs.71.28 lakhs was allotted for Tamil Nadu Science and Trechnology Centre for meeting the revenue expenditure for 2002-2003. As against this, the anticipated expenditure during 2002-03 is Rs.84.74 lakhs. For the year 2003-04, a sum of Rs.108.34 lakhs has been proposed towards salary of staff and other maintenance expenditure of the Centre. This includes a sum of Rs.26.00 lakhs for taking up new schemes. The details are given under new schemes.

Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Chennai (Outlay Rs.46.82 lakhs)

The Government of Tamil Nadu has established the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology as an apex Autonomous Body in 1984 to foster development of Science and Technology in Tamil Nadu. The State Government provides funds to the Council to meet its revenue expenditure under the State Plan. The Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India also extends financial assistance by way of annual grant to meet the expenditure on professionals and secretarial staff of the Council. This includes an outlay of Rs.5.00 lakhs for taking up new schemes. The details are given under new schemes.

The following important schemes which are currently under implementation by the State Council are programmed to be continued during 2003-04:

The scheme envisages utilisation of tremendous student talent and potential by providing financial and academic support to the final year B.E. / B.E. (Agri) and other students in professional colleges and post graduate science students of University departments and affiliated colleges in Tamil Nadu to carry out projects, which are relevant to the society and to provide solutions to the local problems in Tamil Nadu. The students may also choose to work in Small Scale Industries / rural voluntary organisations. A certain number of projects will be allocated to every branch of study depending upon the importance of the thrust areas of science and technology. The scheme was initiated during 1992-93. During the 9^th plan 644 projects have been supported. During 2001-02, 234 students projects were sanctioned. This programme will be continued during 2003-04.

The aim of this programme is to encourage research in development sectors that would contribute to the socio-economic development of the State. During 2003-04, funds have been provided for 10 new Science and Technology Projects to be initiated.

The aim is to produce highly talented scientists in the country. This is a gifted scheme benefitting rural people in Tamil Nadu. In each district 50 bright students studying in 8^th standard from various schools will be selected through a written test. They will stay in college campus and will be trained in all scientific subjects. During the year 2001-02 this scheme was conducted in 24 centres and 1,400 students benefitted. This will be continued during 2003-04 also.

Under the Young Scientist Fellowship programme, assistance is given to Young Scientists working in various Research Institutions in Tamil Nadu to undergo "Research Training" in various Research Centres and Universities. This programme is implemented with partial financial assistance from DST - Government of India on 50:50 basis. During Ninth Plan 52 Young Scientists have been supported. This programme will be continued during 2003-04.

The aim of this programme is to offer partial financial assistance to organisations for conduct of conference / Seminar / Symposia / Workshop in important areas of Science & Technology such as Agriculture, Bio-technology, Verterinary Sciences, Medicine, Environment, Engineering and Technology, Energy etc., which will provide a suitable platform to Scientists, Technologists, Administrators, Industrialists and others to interact and exchange ideas in their fields. Further action in research and development will be discussed and evolved through these programmes apart from adding valuable scientific literature to the concerned areas. About 20 seminars / symposia will be supported.

This scheme will enable upliftment of the economic status of the people through transfer of Science & Technology techniques and findings to rural areas. This scheme involves identification of agencies and village panchayats in districts, setting up of Steering Committee for monitoring the progress of the committee, visiting the panchayats and motivating the people in the panchayats to involve themselves in projects etc.

The aim of this programme is to take Science and Technology to people and, in particular, children to inculcate in them scientific awareness and foster inquisitiveness so as to combat exploitation through superstition. The Council organizes National Science Day Celebrations, Science and Technology Exhibitions, In-service Teacher Training Programme and Science Awareness Programmes. During 2003-04, all these programmes are proposed to be conducted through out the year in schools, colleges and villages, and about 150 Organisations will be supported.

8. Incentive to young scientists - Travel grant to young Scientists fellowship

The objective of this programme is to encourage young scientists in institutions to know of developments in front areas in science and technology by their contribution at National / International Seminars, with partial financial assistance for Travel. The awardees are to share the information acquired with fellow Scientists at a Seminar to be arranged at one of the Institutions. Under this programme, initiated in 1988, 332 Young Scientists have been assisted upto 2001. This scheme will be continued during 2003-04 and about 25 Scientists will be supported.

9. Assistance to S & T Publications and Science Magazines in Tamil - Ariga Arivial, Arivukkan, Thulir etc.

The aim of this programme is to foster the creative talent of writers by bringing out Science and Technology publications in Tamil which will help to spread Science & Technology among children and masses. It is also proposed to continue the provision of financial subsidy in 2003-04 to Organisations for bringing out the Science Magazines in Tamil for Children viz., Ariga Arivial, Arivukkan, etc. Besides financial assistance is to be provided for bringing out in Tamil some of the text books to be used at the undergraduate studies in engineering as well as scientific disciplines. During 9^th plan 7 journals were supported. This scheme will be continued in 2003-04 also.

Under this scheme, the Scientists of Tamil Nadu who have contributed significantly to science by way of new discoveries, developing models/methods in each field of science such as medical engineering agriculture, fisheries, veterinary, basic sciences, computer science and other branches of sciences will be honoured with award. Each award will carry a cash prize of Rs.10,000 and a citation. During the 9^th plan period 32 awards have been given to outstanding scientists apart from 9 women scientists. This scheme will be continued during the year 2003-2004 also.

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science & Technology is observing the "National Technology Day" Science 2000. The programme content involves large number of activities such as exhibitions, elocution competition, computer training, essay competitions, seminars, popular lectures etc. The State Council has been involving voluntary agencies, Hr. Sec. schools, Colleges and Universities of the State in these activities. NCSTC, DST, Govt. of India sanctions matching grant on 50:50 basis for this programme.

In order to have a close coordination between Industry and educational institutions and with the aim at bringing together service providers, students, working professional and self-employed people in search of enhancing their skill and potential, the Confederation of Indian Industry will organise a two-day event called "Career Fair 2003" at Madurai and this will be useful to students studying in Engineering, MBA, MCA and P.G. in Arts, Science and Commerce. The Council will support the ahove fair.

This provision is made to cover the revenue expenses connected with the establishment of the Council such as Pay and allowances, office expenses etc.

Thus a total sum of Rs.46.82 lakhs is proposed to be provided as grant for the Council for the year 2003-04.

The Government has set up the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS) at Anna University to fully exploit the capabilities of satellite remote sensing techniques for optimal utilization of natural resources of the State. In the earlier years, IRS had completed several projects comprising both State and national levels covering thrust and emerging areas. A training centre building has been added to the Institute to develop human resources in the area of Remote Sensing.

Apart from this, the Government of Tamilnadu has been supporting a scheme for setting up of a Research Documentation Laboratory for Textile Chemistry implemented under State Plan which was assisted by the UGC upto March 1992. Since then, the scheme is being financed by the State Government. A sum of Rs.0.25 lakh has been proposed for the Annual Plan 2003-2004.

The Chennai Science City was established in the year 1994-95 based on the recommendations of a Working Group with the objective of encouraging the spirit of enquiry among people in general and to foster the research capabilities in the scientific community. Hence, an agglomeration of Institutions connected with scientific research and development in Guindy - Tharamani Institutional belt totalling to nearly 60 like IIT, Anna University, CLRI, Periyar Science and Technology Centre belonging both to State and Central Governments have been declared as Science City with the objective of promoting Science and Technology.

These Institutions in the Science City have more than 1500 Ph.D. holders, 3500 research scholars with more than 1500 research projects in the field of Science, Engineering and Technology. Equipments worth about Rs.500 crores are available. An initial outlay of Rs.1 crore was provided to the Science City during 1994-95. Since then it has been receiving continued Government assistance.

A sum of Rs.31.38 lakhs has been proposed during 2003-04 for schemes like Creation of Database pertaining to the scientific knowledge base available in Science city area which will immensely help the Government and the NGOs, Newsletter and photography which will create awareness in the public on the recent scientific advancements in science and technology within the Science City. The other schemes like popularisation of science, Gender Cell, Networking of Libraries, Environment Related activities, setting up of Information Systems etc. will receive State assistance. This outlay includes provision of funds for taking up into new schemes costing Rs.5.00 lakhs for which details are given under new schemes.

(1) Provision of additional infrastructure facilities such as x - y tables (Outlay Rs.26.00 lakhs)

Planetarium is a place where the night sky is simulated and complicated concepts of astronomy are taught to the students and public effectively. The science of astronomy is growing at a fast rate and new discoveries are being made almost every day owing to emerging of several spacecrafts and space telescopes. If X - Y table is provide to the B.M Birla Planetarium it will enable movement in two directions and the two zoom projectors will be helpful in enlarging and decreasing the size of the visuals. This kind of presentation will give dynamic animation of astronomical events and thrill the visitors. Hence a sum of Rs.26.00 lakhs is proposed under new schemes for 2003-04.

(2) Intellectual property Right (IPR) Patent Registration (Outlay Rs.1.50 lakhs)

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology has decided to create an Intellectual Property Right Advisory Cell. This will offer guidance and advice to scientists coming out with new ideas and concepts and how to register for patent recognition under IPR Act. A sum of Rs.1.50 lakhs has been provided for this scheme during 2003-04.

The Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology instead of supporting basic resources proposes to identify a few projects in the final stages of research work and try to help the scientists to translate them from the laboratory to the field or industry. A sum of Rs.3.50 lakhs has been proposed for this scheme during 2003-04.

(4) Preparation of Database on Science and Technology, Resources in Science City and at the State Level (Outlay Rs.2.00 lakhs)

The scheme will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, preparation of Database on the Scientific and Technological manpower available at various institutions situated within the Science city will be undertaken. In the second phase, it is proposed to collect all information pertaining to Science & Technology activities at the State level with the objective of utilising the various facilities available in the State optimally. An amount Rs.2.00 lakhs is proposed for this scheme for the year 2003-04.

The Executive Committee of Science City has proposed to institute a Science City Fellowship for students for pursuing Doctoral Degree the findings of which will be of importance to the society. Hence, a sum of Rs.3.00 lakhs is proposed under new (Part II) schemes for 2003-04.

A total sum of Rs.186.79 lakhs is provided in the budget estimate for 2003-04. The details are as follows:

Sl.No.	Schemes	Outlay 2003-04
1.	Assistance to Tamil Nadu Science & Technology Centre	108.34
2.	Grant to Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology	46.82
3.	Grants to Anna University	0.25
4.	Chennai Science City	31.38
	Total - Scientific Services & Research	186.79