Rs 141.91 bn allocated for science
A sum of Rs 141.91 billion has been allocated for science in the General Budget 2002-'03, an increase of 16.14 per cent over the last year.
As observed over the years, the Departments of Atomic Energy, Space and Defence Research have received the lion's share even as the biggest gainer this year has been the ISM&H (Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy) with an increase of about 50 per cent from Rs 1.35 billion to Rs 2.01 billion.
The Department of Atomic Energy's allocation jumped up by 30.63 per cent, up from Rs 15.24 billion last year to Rs 19.91 billion for 2002-03 while Department of Space got an increase of 18.56 per cent amounting to Rs 22.64 billion as against Rs 19.09 billion last year.
Department of Biotechnology has been allocated Rs 2.36 billion for the current year -- an increase of 27 per cent over the last year while the budget of DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) was enhanced by 10.26 per cent from Rs 24.55 billion to Rs 27.07 billion.
The Department of Science and Technology also got a shot in the arm through a 28.01 per cent increase in its Budget.
Although the overall Budget for medical education and research witnessed a small increase of 4.16 per cent, the
Indian Council of Medical Research in fact saw a decline of Rs 30 million in its allocation from Rs 1.66 billion last year to Rs 1.63 billion for 2002-03.
PTI
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