New Delhi: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today chaired a joint meeting of senior officials from all Science Ministries and Departments to review the progress of ongoing projects and budget utilization. The meeting, aimed at fostering synergy and breaking down silos between departments, emphasized the need for increased coordination and efficiency in the country’s scientific and technological efforts.
Dr. Jitendra Singh urged officials from key departments, including the Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, ISRO, CSIR/DSIR, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Department of Space, and the Department of Atomic Energy, to ensure the timely and optimal use of budgetary resources. He specifically called for the acceleration of projects announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reviewed the status of initiatives introduced during recent budgets.
Among the topics discussed was the progress of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), a key project aimed at enhancing India’s research ecosystem. Dr. Singh also examined projects featured on the PRAGATI platform and directed officials to fast-track their completion to meet deadlines efficiently.
The Minister emphasized the importance of engaging with the public, particularly younger generations, through social media platforms. “Our presence must be felt on social media, especially to engage the younger generation,” Dr. Singh said, underscoring the role of communication in showcasing India’s scientific advancements.
Highlighting the government’s focus on transparency and accountability, Dr. Singh reiterated the importance of pooling knowledge and resources in collaboration with the non-governmental sector through public-private partnerships (PPP). He emphasized early industry linkage, which can help multiply the benefits of initiatives that reach scale and volume, ultimately benefiting common citizens.
Dr. Singh’s continuous efforts to create synergy among the various science departments aim to ensure that projects are delivered on time, with resources being used efficiently. The meeting also included discussions on improving the integration of departmental portals into a single joint platform to streamline collaboration across all scientific departments.
