Science and Engg Board to promote research

In an effort to boost basic scientific research, the Government today decided to set up a Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).



The Board will seek to enhance the level of basic research and also impart necessary autonomy, flexibility and speed in shaping research and delivery of funds to researchers.
This was decided at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Briefing reporters, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Board will be a high-level empowered body with necessary administrative and financial autonomy chaired by Secretary of Department of Science and Technology.


The Board can sanction individual projects up to Rs 75 crore with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology. He said that on policy matters, the Board will receive necessary guidance from an Oversight Committee chaired by a scientist of international repute.


The need for having such a body was felt in view of rapid changes in the basic scientific research at the global level with increasing competition every day, he said.


A Science and Engineering Research Bill will be introduced in Parliament and the Board will be constituted under the Act, he said.

The Cabinet also approved a Planning Commission proposal to set up a Coodinated Mechanism for skill development encompassing different public and private initiatives, Chidambaram said.


He said while the ministries and various departments would continue to be responsible for the skill development programmes under them, the National Skill Development Corporation will take care of the skill development in the private sector.


The Finance Minister said coordinated action would aim at creating a pool of skilled personnel in appropriate numbers with adequate skills in line with the employment requirements across the country.