India's R and D outlay lower than China, Brazil

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) The government today admitted that the expenditure on Research and Development as a percentage of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lower as compared to that of developed countries and some developing nations, including China and Brazil.

It, however, is higher than many other developing countries like Pakistan, Argentina, Cuba and Sri Lanka.

Minister for Science and Technology Kapul Sibal said in Rajya Sabha that in absolute terms, India's R and D expenditure had increased over the years from Rs 16198.78 crore in 2000-2001 to Rs 18,000.16 crore in 2002-2003.

Pointing out that the government had been increasing the S and T outlay of scientific departments/agencies from Rs 12,022 crore in the 9th Plan to Rs 25,243 crore in the 10th Plan, the Minister said there were plans to increase it further in the 11th Plan.

NANO-TECHNOLOGY : Replying to another question, the Minister said some major corporates including reliance Industries, Tata Chemicals and Mahindra and Mahindra had started investing in Nano-technology research at a modest level.

The government had initiated steps to promote R and D in this area and had spent about Rs 200 crore during the past five years to promote R and D in this area.

More than 100 research projects had been funded and the government was also contemplating launching a bigger Nano Science and Technology Mission to provide additional boost to this area.

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