Lok Sabha Question No. 3104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-06
Subject: Research and Development in Private Sector
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3104

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 06/08/2021)

## RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN PRIVATE SECTOR

3104. COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  identified  areas  where  private  sector companies  are  in  a  better  position  to  conduct  scientific  research  and development and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to offer tax incentives, loans, procurement  commitments,  or  any  other  measures  as  incentives  for private sector companies to conduct research on such target areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  considered  commercializing  inventions which result from Government-aided private sector research and development ventures and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to double the gross expenditure in research and development every five years as per the policy objectives of the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  New  Millennium  Indian  Technology  Leadership  Initiative (NMITLI)  program  of  CSIR  has  identified  areas  viz.  Agriculture  &  Plant Biotechnology, General Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Materials, Information and Communication Technology and Energy for conducting research. Considering the problems posed by corona pandemic, NMITLI called for R&D proposals on COVID-19 interventions. Six projects are under implementation. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a not-forprofit  Section  8-  PSU  under  DBT  undertake    strategic  research  &

innovation in the areas of affordable health care and wellness, agriculture,  food  and  nutritional  security,  environmental  safety,  clean energy, biofuel and bio-manufacturing. translating knowledge into technology led affordable and globally competent product development.

- (b) Under  NMITLI  program  of  CSIR,  soft  loan  @3%  interest  is  being provided  to  industry  to  carry  out  research  and  development  and  the partnering public institutions are provided grant-in-aid. BIRAC, a not for profit  section  8  company  under  DBT  offers  several  funding  schemes, programs to facilitate biotech startups, medium and large scale companies. It has funded 1000+ entrepreneurs and Startups so far. It also supports  setting  up  of  incubation  centres  in  both  public  and  private sector. DBT  has  also  set  up  a dedicated  Make  in  India  Cell for Biotechnology at BIRAC.  Make in India Cell, under the close monitoring of  Department  for  Promotion  of  Industry  &  Internal  Trade  (DPIIT),  has introduced  and  prioritized  multiple  initiatives  including  Startup  India  to promote  innovation,  capacity  building,  strategic  growth  in  Industrial sector,  foreign  direct  investment,  promotion  for  technology  adoption, manufacturing,  Intellectual  Property  rights,  employment  generation  and others. The Make In India Cell at BIRAC connects with stakeholders and provides  critical  inputs  for  Tax/  Fiscal  incentives  to  Industry.    It  also operates Fund of Funds - AcE to support biotech startups by partnering with SEBI registered Venture Funds. BioAngels initiative is also to attract participation  of  private  equity  in  biotech  sector.  A  dedicated  portal 'Biotech Showcase Portal' showcasing the complete profile of innovative products developed by biotech start-ups.
- (c) BIRAC  supports  the  startups  across  the  value  chain  of  product development i.e. from proof of concept (PoC) to commercialization of the innovative technologies. It also provides assistance for field validation of technologies  in  the  Test  Beds  in  order  to  promote  public  procurement working at the State level. The organization has released catalogues and compendium  to  promote  the  commercialization  of  innovative  products. These  booklets  give  complete  information  about  the  product,  ranging from  its  market  price,  IP  Status,  awards  to  product  positioning  and  its relevancy in National & International Market.
- (d)  The  draft  Science,  Technology  and  Innovation  Policy  2020  is  under consideration.

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