The Central Plan
Outlay 2003-04 for various scientific departments have gone
up anywhere between 5 to 50 percent. While, the allocation for
various ministries and other departments remained at last year’s
level or marginally hiked, the increase for scientific departments
reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing the investment
on research and development, recognising that science and technology
alone can contribute to further socio-economic progress.
The Department
of Atomic Energy secured the highest increase from Rs. 2741
crore this year to Rs. 4106 crore for 2003-04, representing
a growth of nearly 50 percent. The Department of Space received
Rs. 100 crore more i.e. Rs. 2050 crore for 2003-04, merely an
increase of 5 percent. The allocation for Ocean Development
is maintained at the current year level of Rs. 175 crore.
However, the Ministry
of Science and Technology comprising the Departments of S&T,
Scientific and Industrial Research and Biotechnology was allocated
Rs. 290 crore more i.e. Rs.1580 crore for 2003-04 representing
an hike of more than 22 percent.
The Department
of S&T got a rise of Rs. 175 crore i.e. Rs. 800 crore, the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Rs. 80 crore
more i.e. Rs. 520 crore and the Department of Biotechnology
Rs. 35 crore more i.e. Rs. 260 crore for 2003-04. Of the three,
the Department of Science and Technology received the maximum
hike of 28 percent.
Rs. 215 crore is
provided for multi-disciplinary research in science and technology
programme under the Science and Engineering Research Council.
Rs. 150 crore is provided for the creation of a pharmaceutical
research and development support fund.
To encourage development
of knowledge-based industry, the government has decided to extend
the tax holiday to R&D companies established upto 31st
March, 2004, to facilitate units engaged in biotech and pharmaceuticals
R&D. The Centre also decided to remove the existing restriction
of minimum export obligation of Rs. 20 crore for availing exemption
from customs duty on specified equipment. The restriction of
full exemption being limited to only 1 percent of last year’s
export turnover for these units has also been lifted.
