Lok Sabha Question No. 1896 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Measures to Combat COVID-19
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1896 THE ALLOTTED DAY ON 12/02/2021

Measures to Combat COVID-19

## 1896. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY वान और ौयोगक मंी pleased to state:

be

- (a)      the  preparedness  made  so  far  by  his  Ministry  to  combat  COVID-19 pandemic along with the details thereof;
- (b)     whether the Ministry is working on any specific scheme to provide assistance to health workers; and
- (c)     if so, the details thereof

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE; MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

वाय और परवार कयाण मंी , वान और ौयोगक मंी और पृ वी वान मंी ( डॉ . हष वधन )

- (a)      The  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DST)  and  its  various Autonomous Institutions made sincere efforts to address R&D and innovation related challenges arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. A mapping of startup ecosystem  was  done  to  identify  and  support  relevant  technology  solutions ready  for  scale-up.  Several  calls  through  DST,  Science  &  Engineering Research Board (SERB), Technology Development Board (TDB), Indo-US S&T Forum (IUSSTF) were made inviting research proposals on COVID-19 related challenges. A National Super Model was formulated to predict the spread of the  pandemic.  Some  major  breakthroughs  came  out  from  initiatives  like Centre  for  Augmenting  War  with  COVID-19  (CAWACH)  and  Science  and Society  programme.  DST's  Autonomous  institutes  like  Sree  Chitra  Tirunal Institute  of  Medical  Science  and  Technology,  Survey  of  India,  Technology Information  Forecasting  and  Assessment  Council  (TIFAC),  and  others  have significantly  contributed  in  the  field  of  diagnostic  kits,  hospital  devices, Personal protective Equipment (PPE), masks and other technology solutions to reduce the menace of COVID pandemic

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), initiated an integrated response  to  overcome  the  unprecedented  COVID-19  pandemic.  The  DBTBIRAC  (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance council) COVID-19 research  Consortium  call  was  issued,  whereby,  more  than  100  projects  for development of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics are being supported. 'Mission COVID Suraksha' is being implemented to accelerate the indigenous COVID-19  vaccine  development  efforts.  Nearly  15  vaccine  candidates  are being supported of which 3 vaccine candidates are in clinical trial stage and about 2 vaccine candidates are in advanced pre-clinical developmental stage. Several  indigenous  diagnostics  kits  have  been  developed.  PAN-India  1000 SARS-CoV-2  genome  sequencing  was  successfully  completed.  The  Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortium (INSACOG) has been launched, to ascertain the  status  of  new  variants  of  SARS-CoV-2  in  the  country.  DBT  is  working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs for advancing vaccine development and conducting training programme to strengthen clinical trial capacity activities in neighboring countries.

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has responded to the situation  with  a  well-coordinated  and  integrated  approach  in  cooperation with all relevant stakeholders. CSIR is extending all possible R&D support to the industry and is also aligned to the Government's strategy of mitigation of outbreak.  CSIR  has  developed  more  than  100  technologies  under  five technology  verticals  viz.,  Digital  and  Molecular  Surveillance;  Rapid  and Economical  Diagnosis;  Development  of  new  drugs/repurposing  of  drugs; Hospital  Assistive  Devices  and  PPEs  and  Supply  chain  and  logistics  and  is working with about 100 industries. Six CSIR labs are working on sequencing of coronavirus to know if any genetic changes are occurring in the virus while it  is  spreading  in  the  country  Thirteen  CSIR  labs  are  engaged  in  corona diagnostic testing. CSIR Labs have developed several rapid diagnostic kits, drug  formulations  like  Favipiravir,  Remdesivir,  Arbidol,  for  synthesis  and repurposing for COVID.

(b)  &  (c):   No  Sir,  Ministry  of  Science  and  Technology  (MoST)  has  not  been directly  involved  in  aiding  the  health  workers.  However,  some  of  the innovative  solutions/products  such  as  diagnostic  kits,  hospital  devices, protective  gears,  etc.  developed  through  MoST  supports  have  significantly helped to reduce the challenges faced by the health workers in dealing with the COVID 19 patients.

**********