"Centralisation is a concern"
C PRAJENDRAN
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES, BENGALURU
The Union Cabinet's approval for the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill has been received with mixed feelings. Mostly modelled after the US' National Science Foundation, NRF has been discussed and developed since the time of the Manmohan Singh government. It has now been approved with an outlay of 50,000 crore for the next five years, more than half of which is expected to be contributed by the private sector. This is a meagre amount, given that India's funding for scientific research is already much less than other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa).
Besides, according to the Bill, the proposed entity will be administered by a governing body of "eminent" researchers and professionals, presided by the prime minister, and with an executive council chaired by the principal scientific advisor. This top-heavy management setup will likely lead to over-centralisation-as against the proclaimed intention of having a decentralised mechanism for science funding.
This cannot be overlooked in terms of the suspicion that a part of the fund is likely to be spent on belief-based traditional knowledge systems. There are also concerns about the criteria that would be used to select experts in the governing and executive bodies.
To unleash the full potential of Indian science and to improve the science-technology-innovation ecosystem, we require a vibrant and responsive financial system, which is autonomous, more participatory and less bureaucratic.
"First, close gaps in education"
ARINDAM GHOSH
PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, BENGALURU
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits
DIGGING A DISASTER
Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag
TROUBLED WOODS
Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health
BLINDING GLOW
The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.
GROUND REALITY
What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.
Vinchurni's Gandhi
A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara