ANNUAL PLAN 2002-03
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2. Grants to State Council of Science & Technology for Sikkim Rs
40.00 lakh
Details of Plan/Schemes/Programmes are as under:-
(a) Research & Development
(i) Research Grants:
The State Council of Science and Technology for Sikkim has been providing fellowships more of less at par with the UGC rates for undertaking Research on areas of Science and Technology particularly relevant to the State of Sikkim. These R&D projects are aimed at helping solve location specific problem in areas such as Bio-technology, Health, Environment, Horticulture, Agriculture and Forestry.
An amount of Rs 2.00 lakh for the financial year 2002-2003 has been proposed for his purpose.
(ii) State Tissue Culture Centre:
Besides the Research activities on the Tissue Culture Techniques, the Centre has been engaged in imparting training on the techniques of Tissue Culture for Orchids & Mushroom Cultivation.
In order to undertake all these activities, the laboratory infrastructure needs strengthening whereby chemicals and consumables needs to be procured.
A budget provision of Rs 4.00 lakh has been proposed for the financial year 2002-2003.
(iii) Remote Sensing Centre:
With the installation of required Workstations and application software for Digital Image Processing (DIP) and Geographical Information System (GIS), the Remote Sensing Application Centre will be fully operational within this year. The Centre will be working on important projects like Landslide zonation, watershed mapping and compilation of dalabase of the entire States Natural Resource.
A provision of Rs 1.00 lakh has been proposed for the financial year 2002-2003.
Break-up is as under
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(b) Planetarium:
The setting up of a Planetarium was one of the major project that was envisaged during the course of 9th Five Year Plan Due to various reasons the Project could not be carried out. The same is proposed to be carried out and completed in course of 10th Five Year Plan. Land at Sajong, Rumtek has already been acquired for the purpose and fencing of the same has already been completed.
To carry out some land development work and preparation of fresh project report, a token provision of Rs 1.00 lakh is proposed under this head for financial year 2002-2003.
(c) Rural Technology:
In order to improve the efficiency and quality of life of our rural masses, a number of schemes under this programme are to be undertaken during the course of financial year 2002-2003.
Under this priority programme schemes such as Micro Hydel project, Waste management technologies, establishment of Rural Technology Park at Mangan, Food Technology and alternate sources of energy, installation of Cardamom driers and other similar relevant and suitable technologies applicable especially in hilly regions are to be taken up during the year 2002-2003.
A provision of Rs 5.00 lakh has been proposed for the financial year 2002-2003.
(d) Communication and Popularization of Science
Under this programme, various schemes for the promotion of awareness of Science such as Celebration of National Science Day. National Technology Day. Vigyan Pradharshanis, Debate and Quiz Competitions, etc are carried out every year. The Science and Technology newsletter, which would be revived from this year, is an important feature of this programme. Study tour for Science Students to various Scientific Institutions within Sikkim and outside Sikkim are conducted. Free coaching classes for Science Students of Class X & XII are conducted covering all the four districts of the State. Grants to various Institutions for popularisation and promotion of Science are proposed to be made during the course of the year.
Awards to eminent personalities for their contribution in the field of Science and Technology and particularly in relevance to the state of Sikkim is proposed to be given. This is felt required to recognize the work done by Scientists and other personalities in the field of Science and Technology.
For the proposed Science Centre at Sajong, Rumtek that is being taken up in collaboration with the National Council of Science Museum (NCSM), Kolkota could not commence in the last financial year due to some reasons. This is expected to be taken up this year as land for the same has been proposed at Marchak. An amount of Rs 20.00 lakh, which is 10% of the State share of the total cost of the Project, has been segregated and kept aside out of plan funds of last two financial years. For land development and other preliminary expenditure we propose to provide Rs 2.00 lakh this year.
Establishment of 5 more Science Sub-centres in schools and providing them with teaching aids to is proposed to be taken up. 50% of the grant for this would be supported by NCSTC/NCSM, Government of India.
A total provision of Rs 10.00 lakh under Communication and Popularization of Science is to be allocated for the financial year 2002-2003.
(e) Entrepreneurship Development Programme
A number of training programmes in low cost nursery techniques, improved Chula, bio-waste management, Bamboo treatment, Rabbit farming, Mushroom Cultivation, etc. are to be conducted under this programme during the year. These trainings are aimed at generating self-employment and supplementing income of the unemployed.
A mobile demonstration Van is to be procured for demonstrating the various know-hows and techniques all over the state of Sikkim.
A provision of Rs 7.50 lakh has been proposed for the financial year 2002-2003.
(f) Science Library:
The Council runs a Science library at the White Hall Complex. The infrastructure of the Library is to be upgraded and renovated. Membership drive for this has been started and the Library is to be upgraded further by way of procurement of Science books, journals, etc.
A provision of Rs 2.50 lakh is proposed for the financial year 2002-2003.
(g) Establishment of Vigyan Bhavan
The State Government has approved the proposal for construction of the Vigyan Bhavan to accommodate the Department of Science and Technology and the State Council of Science and Technology for Sikkim. A land adjacent to the Forest Secretariat Annexe has been allotted for this purpose and the construction is expected to start from this year under the supervision of the SPWD (Buildings).
The Department had projected an estimated cost of Rs 3.00 crores for the proposed construction under the Tenth Five Year Plan. As there has been a sizeable reduction in the projected plan size at the State level itself, the project may suffer a smooth take-off. This will have to be sorted out and necessary changes may be required in the Tenth Plan Proposal of the State Government pertaining to the Science and Technology Department at the time of finalisation of the same with the Planning Commission.
In view of the limitations of the funds made available, we intend to provide Rs 2.00 lakh for the preliminary work such as Architectural designing, land development, preliminary plans and estimates, etc. for the financial year 2002-2003.
(h) State Council Secretariat
The requirement of fund under this head is for meeting the recurring establishment costs of the Council Secretariat such as office expenses, maintenance of motor vehicles purchase of office equipments, etc.
For this purpose, an amount of Rs 5.00 lakh is proposed for the financial year 2002-2003.
ABSTRACT
MH 3425 Other Scientific Research
Total Plan Outlay Rs 75.00 lakh
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