Odisha Seeks Steps By Centre To Strengthen S&T Ecosystem

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has urged the Centre to take steps for creation of an institutional framework for proactive engagement with states in order to develop Science, Technology and Innovation Ecosystem.

Speaking at the Leadership session of State S&T Ministers’ Conclave in Ahmedabad, Odisha’s Science and Technology Minister Ashok Chandra Panda emphasised the need to strengthen the STI ecosystems in the state by promoting research and development, innovation and entrepreneurship.

While appropriate strategies are required to synergise State Innovation systems with National Innovation system, the Centre and states should go hand-in-hand towards promoting private sector participation in the States, he said.

Stating that a portion of CSR funds may be made mandatory for research and development in the States, Panda also mooted the idea of creating a corpus fund by the States and the Centre.

Outlining various major steps taken by Odisha’s department of Science and Technology, the Minister said that Rs 2 crore has been given to Institute of Life Science (ILS), Bhubaneswar for establishment of Bio-incubation Centre and to strengthen research infrastructure to support Startups. Currently, 24 Startups are supported by ILS.

Similarly, the state government has started engagement with Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Centre for substantial increase in interactions of the academic and research institutions, he said.

The state government has taken steps to establish innovation hubs in 500 schools to inculcate scientific temperament and creativity in the minds of the school students, more particularly the Schedule Tribe students. Initially, 50 such hubs will be established by 2023 with an investment of Rs 200 crore, he said.

The Minister also presented some State specific schemes and sought more support from the Centre.