GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2624
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16-4-2008

HIGH COST OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

2624. SHRI PENUMALLI MADHU:

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

(a) whether in India cost of advanced technology has become prohibitive;
(b) if so, what steps are being taken to bring down these costs and to set up a forward looking agenda; and
(c) whether Government has made any efforts to find out the reasons for such increase in the costs?

ANSWER

MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES
(KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) No, Sir. Advanced technologies are not available off the shelf. They used to be developed by launching missions and funding projects within India. Successful outcomes reduce the cost of such technologies. However, in the case of certain technologies which are denied to Indian companies or entities on account of sanctions, such acquisitions are not possible.

(b) & (c): Does not arise