In a significant move aimed at streamlining and bolstering the science and technology landscape in India, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the continuation of three existing umbrella schemes under a unified central sector scheme named ‘Vigyan Dhara’.
This comprehensive initiative, led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is set to run through the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with an allocated budget of Rs. 10,579.84 crore.
The scheme has three broad components:
• Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building,
• Research and Development and
• Innovation, Technology Development and Deployment.
All the programs proposed under the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme would be aligned with the 5-year goals of DST towards realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The research and development component of the scheme will be aligned in line with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
On biotechnology side, the new initiative aims to support innovation-driven research and development across six thematic areas. The first will focus on bio-chemicals, bio-enzymes, and bio-polymers, which will mainly have industrial, consumer, and scientific applications.
The second pillar will focus on smart proteins and functional foods. Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw — while briefing reporters on Cabinet decisions — said one of the critical challenges that India faces is feeding its 140 crore people. The second pillar will focus on developing functional foods that can complement land-based food production, thereby reducing pressure on land resources.
The third will focus on bio-therapeutics. Targeted therapy is emerging as the cutting-edge treatment for several genetic conditions and cancers.
The fourth will focus on agriculture, supporting development of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides.
The fifth will focus on developing bio-fuels and bio-chemicals, especially those that are developed from captured carbon emissions. This will help in creating a circular economy, said Vaishnaw. And, last area was marine and space application to focus on developing products from marine ecosystems.
