LG Mishra discusses proposal for development of State Science & Technology Programme
Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) chaired a meeting to discuss the proposal for the development of the State Science and Technology Programme in Ladakh.
Secretary, IT/Science and Technology, Amit Sharma informed the LG that the vision of the implementation of the State Science and Technology Programme (SSTP) is to catalyse Science Technology Innovation (STI) ecosystem by assessing, developing and delivering appropriate S&T-based solutions to Ladakh-specific challenges.
He also informed that the mission of the programme is to develop a holistic STI ecosystem for the socio-economic development of Ladakh.
Sharma apprised the LG of the objectives of the SSTP, including formulation of STI Policy for Ladakh, identification of S&T needs of Ladakh through consultations with stakeholders to facilitate socio-economic development of communities of Ladakh, identification and demonstration/dissemination of proven technologies useful for adoption by societies in Ladakh, support STI projects on issues of Ladakh in the evaluation and monitoring process of and strengthening the delivery mechanism for technology deployment, develop and support the appropriate programmes and systemic interventions for nurturing and catalysing the STI ecosystem in Ladakh in coordination with the R&D Institutes/Agencies and Industry.
Along with informing the LG about the Governing Council and Executive Council, Sharma apprised the LG of the proposed programmes, viz. establishment of Ladakh Science Centre, S&T Research Grants on Ladakh-specific issues, entrepreneurship development, support to conferences/workshops, travel grant support to researchers from Ladakh; popularisation of science through annual programmes such as Ladakh Science Congress and Children Science Congress, publication of scientific and policy papers, etc.
Sharma informed that the proposal will be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI, for assistance for the development of State Science and Technology Councils Programme.
The LG commended the Department led by Sri Sharma along with the University of Ladakh led by Prof SK Mehta for the initiative and instructed them to expedite the submission of the proposal to the Ministry of Science and Technology at the earliest.
Advisor to LG, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Secretary, IT/Science and Technology, Amit Sharma and Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta were present in the meeting.
