Kapil Sibal,60 Minister of Science & Technology & Earth Sciences

He didnt have a science background but took a keen interest in the field,urging scientists to find solutions to everyday problems. But his biggest stumbling block was his failure to reform the Meteorological Department.

His brief

The CMP aimed at strengthening science and technology infrastructure and application of science and technology in key areas.

The deliveries

• Set up a fund for improvement of S&T infrastructure to enable colleges to upgrade their infrastructure with financial help from the Centre and a Science and Engineering Research Board to improve quality of R&D.

• Allowed scientists working in government institutions to associate themselves with private sector companies engaged in related scientific R&Ds.

• Promoted scientific collaborations with other countries.

Reforms derailed

• Failed to modernise the Met Dept.

• The much-publicised weather channel was a non-starter.

• A National Nano Mission was launched in 2007since ignored.

• Plans to prepare 3-D GIS mapping of 400 major cities have not moved beyond the pilot phase.

• His bid to make Delhi railway station terrorism-proof was a flop.

Opportunities blown

The Met department was integrated with the Department of Ocean Development in 2006 to form the Ministry of Earth Sciences. An Earth Commission was also set up. Great things were expected but results disappointed.

High Point

After the Mumbai attacks,Sibal worked closely with P. Chidambaram to draft two crucial legislations on establishing the National Investigation Agency and amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

View from the shadow

Sibal has been a disaster. There has been complete destruction of research institutions and labs. Important research institutions have stayed headless for months and the selection process was twisted. Murli Manohar Joshi,former NDA S&T minister

Did he get your vote?

He got a second term from Chandni Chowk,Delhi,with a 2 lakh margin.