Kalam flays science depts for not using funds

President A P J Abdul Kalam on Friday pulled up science departments for not fully utilising the funds allocated to them, and asked the scientists to draw a "focused" action plan for progress in the field of science and technology.

Kalam also suggested constitution of a joint team comprising members from all the scientific departments to work out a time-bound growth plan for research, programmes for science education, training and establishment of laboratories in an integrated way for a five-year period.

"When I studied utilisation of budget allocation by scientific ministries last night, (I found) there has been more than 20 per cent of funds unutilised during 2005-06," he said in his address to the 94th Indian Science Congress at the Annamalai University in Chidambaram.

Kalam asked the scientific community to have a clear vision for the progress of the country in the field of science.

Welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance on a progressive increase in the S&T budget, Kalam said, "There is a need for focused action plan to realise this".

Kalam's reference to the Dr Singh's assurance drew a loud applause from the gathering, but he was quick to point out that the scientific community would not be enthused when they hear what he has to say.

"(After) What I want to say, you will not do this (you will not clap)," he said.

Exhorting the scientists to develop a 20-year perspective, Kalam asked them to have a clear vision and a roadmap for holding basic research for promoting commercialisation of the research.