The Hindu : Pitch in, PM tells scientists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 04, 2002

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National

Pitch in, PM tells scientists

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI Sept. 3 . The Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee, today expressed concern over the "looming water crisis'', and said that the scientific community must make its contribution to improve the situation.

After 12 years of good monsoon, drought was prevailing in several parts of the country. Scientists should help in improving the weather prediction ability so that forecasts were "more accurate and reliable''.

They should also focus evolving steps to make conservation and recycling of water more cost-effective, make systems for supply of drinking water more effective, besides ensuring that the fruits of research in dryland farming and drought resistant seeds reached the farmers in rain-dependent areas he said.

Presenting the CSIR's prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards to young scientists, Mr. Vajpayee drew attention to the problem of power shortage and said though the Government had a major role to play in terms of bringing about reforms in the power sector, there was also a need for scientists and engineers to put in efforts.

"I am aware that these involve necessary policy and administrative initiatives by the Central and State Governments. We are making concerted efforts to push reforms in the power sector. But, all of you will agree that technology can greatly help us in our endeavour''.

The Prime Minister also sought the help of the scientific community in reaching the target of a GDP growth rate of eight per cent and more in the 10th plan period. To reach it the country had to adopt a strategy of productivity-led growth. Mr. Vajpayee referred to the concerns expressed earlier by the Union Science and Technology Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, that in recent years there had been a major decline in scientific research in the country in both qualitative and quantitative terms and urged the heads of all science and technology establishments in the country, including the CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DRDO, IITs, and universities to study the problem and come out with corrective measures.

The Government had done all it could, through enhanced and innovative funding, to help reverse the trend. It would continue to do so. On the on-going World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, he said India hoped that it would carry the agenda of sustainable development towards strong consensual action.

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