IT Dept gets PM rap for going too slow

The first meeting to review whether the departments were implementing the thrust areas enumerated by the PM today appraised the working of the departments of IT, space, science and technology and of CSIR.

The respective secretaries gave presentations of 20-30 minutes each. IT Secretary Brijesh Kumar assured the PM that e-governance was being implemented on priority basis. Secretary of Science and Technology Prof V.S. Ramamurthy said work was on to put in place a Tsunami Detection and Warning System. He said, at present, an alert can be sounded within 40 minutes of an earthquake with a potential of causing a tsunami. In the next two years, this can be done instantaneously, he said. Work on upgrading the Indian Meteorological Department was also in progress.

The country was also set to launch Cartosat-I, a remote-sensing satellite for detailed mapping of the country in May. Madhvan Nair of Department of Space said the Cartosat would have unique stereoscopic cameras with 2.5 metre resolution, which would be capable of mapping the terrain of the entire subcontinent, including hilly areas.

The PM, while emphasizing on growth in science and technology, said ordinary problems of the common man like provision of drinking water and availability of life-saving drugs, had to be given equal importance. Singh also stressed on the need to develop new drugs and improving public-private partnerships for collaborative research and development.

Dr Mashelkar of CSIR apprised the PM about the new drugs which had been patented and about the ongoing research in various fields. The second review meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday.