MP: Science and Tech Policy draft presented

Bhopal, Apr 25: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has received a draft of the state's new Science and Technology Policy.

The draft was presented here yesterday by Working Group Chairman and Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Science Prof K I Vasu and Science and Technology Council Director-General Mahesh Sharma, who is also Scientific Advisor to the state government, an official release said.

Among those present were Working Group members Barkatullah University Vice-Chancellor R S Sirohi, Bhopal-based Regional Research Laboratory Scientist Naveen Chandra, Council Executive Director Narendra Mehrotra and its Project Director N P Shukla.

''The Policy will help develop skill among youth,'' claimed Mr Chouhan.

Stress has been laid to bring excellence and self-reliance in agriculture, health, education and energy. A 11-point programme, suggested by President A P J Abdul Kalam, was also taken into account. Suggestions were invited at national level. The Group was formed last September. The Policy is likely to be announced on May 11 -- Technology Day, the release added.

UNI