Lok Sabha Question No. 3922 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Mission Innovation
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Rajendra Dhedya  Gavit, Sudheer Gupta, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3922 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2021

## Mission Innovation

## 3922. SHRI RAJENDRA DHEDYA GAVIT:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

## Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- a) whether India has emerged as a key mover of global S&T partnerships in critical areas like energy, water, health and astronomy which are global challenges to make the world a better and more scientific place to live in and if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether India played a crucial role in launching 'Mission Innovation' which is a global initiative and if so, the details thereof;
- c) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilized under Mission Innovation during each of the last three years;
- d) whether Government has allocated funds to R&D Projects  under smart grids engaging various Indian and foreign institutes and industries and if so, the details in this regard; and
- e) whether the COVID-19 established India's position as a leading country in tackling the pandemic crisis and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND

## TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) Yes Sir, India has established the partnerships with the key countries and is playing a key role through  knowledge  generation  and  innovations  in  the  areas  of  Biotechnology  and  allied disciplines  including,  energy,  water,  health,  which  are  global  challenges.  Hence,  India  has emerged as a key mover of global S&T partnerships in critical areas. Major missions have been launched by Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
- (b) Yes Sir, Mission Innovation is a global initiative of 24 countries and EU launched during Paris Agreement at COP21 on November 30, 2015. The program focuses on Clean Energy Research,

Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) initiatives to accelerate clean energy innovations.

Department of Biotechnology is the nodal agency for coordinating national efforts in clean energy R, D & D and implementing various activities in close collaboration with Department of Science and Technology and other line ministries. India is playing crucial role in MI Activities at global level  by  participating  in  eight  Innovation  Challenges  and  co  leading  three  challenges  (Smart Grids, Off-Grid access to Electricity and Sustainable Biofuels). India is member of MI Steering Committee and Co-lead of Analysis and Joint Research Sub-Group along with Canada. India has set up Clean Energy International Incubation Center to provide support to start up for providing the most impactful clean energy solutions for the societal good.

- (c) Consolidated budget details for last three years for MI India Activities-
- (d) Yes Sir, Department of Science & Technology is supporting R & D Projects on Smart Grid at various  National  Institutes,  Universities,  IITs  in  collaboration  with  partnering  institutes  from Canada,  Norway,  UK,  Germany,  USA,  Australia,  Italy.  Government  has  also  committed  an amount  of  Rs.  18  Crore  for  India-Sweden  Collaborative  Industrial  Research  &  Development Programme 2020 on Smart Grids. A total of 9 projects have been supported for R&D on Smart Grid.
- (e) Yes Sir, the Government of India has taken key steps for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for India to harness the indigenous biomanufacturing  capacities  for  the  global  good.  Support  is  being  given  for  development  of  15 vaccine  candidates  for  COVID-19  and  clinical  trials.  Two  vaccines  have  already  received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). Through the 'Vaccine Maitree' initiative of the Government of India, the formidable vaccine manufacturing capacity of India is being leveraged for making available COVID-19 vaccines for various partnering nations across the world. Under the Partnerships for Advancing Clinical Trials (PACT) initiative, Department of Biotechnology (DBT)  is  working  closely with the  Ministry of External Affairs for  advancing  vaccine development activities in neighboring countries and conducting training programmes to strengthen  clinical  trial  capacity  in  neighboring  countries.  There  has  also  been  a  major  effort towards indigenous diagnostic development.

|            | Amount in Rs.    | Amount in Rs.   |
|------------|------------------|-----------------|
| Year       | Total Sanctioned | Total Released  |
| FY 2017-18 | 13,39,16,108     | 74,98,100       |
| FY 2018-19 | 68,52,54,134     | 41,24,49,842    |
| FY 2019-20 | 44,63,83,106     | 29,63,76,145    |
| Total      | 126,55,53,348    | 71,63,24,087    |

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