Outlining the priorities of his ministry, new science and technology minister Jaipal Reddy said his ministry will push the use of science to conserve water, to focus on new forms of solar energy, to provide low-cost solutions on healthcare and to strengthen the area of earth sciences. The ministry with a budget of over `60,800 crores and with over 8,000 scientists working under it will have these four thrust areas.
In his introductory remarks, the minister had said though he had been a student of the social sciences, he believed both in “the philosophy of science and also in the technology of science”, praising Pandit Nehru’s vision for setting up a strong scientific base in the country.
It was obvious he had done his homework because when asked to comment on the efficacy of GM crops, Mr Reddy said, “The subject is under discussion at the global level. Though, he went on to add that we will have to take a scientific view on the subject.. we are in the process of evolving consensus (on this matter so far).”
The Technical Evaluation Committee set up by the Supreme Court has submitted an interim report on GM crops but the department of science and technology has asked for more time to study this interim report, the minister explained.
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Govt to examine programmes for minorities
THUFAIL P.T.
NEW DELHI, OCT. 29
New Union minister of state for minority affairs K. Rahman Khan on Monday said the government would review the programmes meant to benefit the country’s minorities to ensure they reach the community.
While UPA-2 doesn’t have much to show by way of any new initiatives for the country’s minorities, Mr Khan tried to send out a message to the minority communities that the government is committed to ensure that they are benefiting from the various schemes meant for them.
However, Mr Khan was not so forthcoming with his views on the alleged victimisation of Muslims in terror-related cases. Asked about this, Mr Khan, who had earlier led a delegation to meet the then home minister P. Chidam-abaram to draw his attention to this matter, said it was a sensitive issue and the matter was related to the home ministry.