GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 438
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2007

DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF SCIENTISTS

*438. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR RANA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
be pleased to state:

(a) whether the number of scientists has been declining every year in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether funds allocated for research in the field of sciences are also not utilized fully;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

A N S W E R

MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES

(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.438 FOR 04.05.2007 REGARDING "DECLINE IN NUMBER OF SCIENTISTS".

(a) & (b): No Sir. According to the available official statistics, the stock of Scientific and Technical personnel in the country has arisen from 7.8 million in 2000 to 8.1 million in 2001. Of which, nearly 1 lakh S&T personnel remain engaged in Research and Development activities every year.

(c) to (e): Yes Sir. The details of the utilisation of the funds for research by Central Scientific Departments during the 10th Five Year Plan are given in the table below. The corrective steps taken in this regard include changes in the existing project approval process, quarterly monitoring of flow of funds and awareness creation among the scientific community about various schemes.

"Utilisation of funds by Central Scientific Departments"