PM sets up National Innovation Council
By IANSMonday, August 16, 2010
NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a new body, to be chaired by former telecom czar Sam Pitroda, which will be draw up policies for fostering an environment for innovation, especially among small and medium enterprises.
A press release issued by the Prime Minister’s office Monday said that National Innovation Council, to be headed by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations, Sam Pitroda, will prepare the road map for the decade of innovation 2010-20.
“The Council has been given the mandate to evolve an Indian model of innovation focusing on inclusive growth and creating an appropriate eco system conducive to fostering inclusive innovation. It will delineate appropriate policy initiatives within the government required to spur innovation,” said the press release.
The sixteen members of the council include two members of planning commission, K Kasturirangan and Arun Maira, former director general of Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, R. Mashelkar, film director, Shekar Kapur, chairperson, Biocon, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and former president, Nasscom, Kiran Karnik.
“While encouraging all important sectors of the economy to innovate, it will take special efforts to facilitate innovation by micro small and medium enterprises,” noted the press release, adding that it will also look at innovations for improving the public services delivery system.
