Lok Sabha Question No. 2393 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-01
Subject: R&D Scheme for Steel Sector
Ministry: STEEL
Asked by: FEROZE VARUN GANDHI

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2393 FOR ANSWER ON 01/08/2016

## R&D SCHEME FOR STEEL SECTOR

## 2393.  SHRI FEROZE VARUN GANDHI:

Will the Minister of STEEL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Indian Institute of Public Administration has undertaken any study to evaluate/assess the scheme for promotion of Research and Development (R&D) in Iron and Steel sector;

(b) if so, the details of the findings thereof along with the follow-up action taken by the Government thereon;

(c) whether the Government has evaluated the effectiveness of the said scheme and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if  not,  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  evaluate  the performance of the said R&D projects?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL

(SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)&(b): Yes, Madam. Ministry of Steel engaged Indian Institute of Public Administration to carry out an independent evaluation of the scheme for promotion of Research and Development in Iron & Steel sector, pursued by Ministry of Steel with financial assistance from Plan Fund, during 11 th Five Year Plan. The details of the major findings and follow up action are given below:

|   Sl.No | Main Recommendations                                                                                                                                                                                    | Follow up action by Ministry of Steel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|---------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | The Scheme needs to be continued.                                                                                                                                                                       | The Scheme has been continued by Ministry of Steel, during the 12 th Plan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|       2 | The Ministry besides directly funding R&D in thrust areas should also take promotional measures to give thrust to R&D activities. It could be in the form of Annual Conference/ Stakeholder's Meet etc. | Ministry of Steel has been pursuing promotional measures to give thrust to R&D under the following schemes with financial assistance from Ministry of Steel: • Centre of Excellences in leading Academic Institutions (IITs) • Ministry of Steel Chair Professor Scheme in Academic Institutes teaching Metallurgical Engineering • Ministry of Steel Scholarships Scheme in Academic Institutes teaching Metallurgical Engineering • Workshops by Project Authorities of the completed R&D Projects |
|       3 | Call for research proposals should be advertised extensively not only on website but also in leading newspapers and journals.                                                                           | Ministry of Steel has already taken follow up action in this regard and Advertisement has been published in leading newspapers and information uploaded in website.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |

|   4 | Terms & Conditions for award of financial assistance, like ownership of physical & intellectual assets should be laid down at the time of advertisement itself. DST/ DSIR guidelines may be seen in designing the Terms & Conditions.   | Necessary amendments have been made in the scheme to adopt DST/ DSIR guidelines.     |
|-----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   5 | Earmarking certain percentage of scheme budget for administrative expenses like organising meetings, paying honorarium/ sitting charges etc.                                                                                            | Necessary provision has been incorporated in the scheme for administrative expenses. |
|   6 | Ministry may examine feasibility of having experts in the sector as Chairpersons of Project Review Committees.                                                                                                                          | This suggestion has been implemented.                                                |

(c)&(d): The effectiveness of the scheme has been evaluated by Indian Institute of Public Administration, which has concluded that all the projects adhere to objectives of the scheme and are highly relevant, as they concern our needs and the scheme needs to be continued.

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