- April 7, 2007
- Posted by: EARSC
- Category: EARSC News
India’s space agency will step up investment in projects with societal applications to account for 20 per cent of its budget. It looks to contribute its expertise to interlink rivers and expand the network for telemedicine, tele-education and village resource centres.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman G Madhavan Nair said that the budget for societal projects is expected to go up by five per cent from the current 15 per cent in the 11th Plan (2007-12).
Nair added that India would go in for radar imaging satellites, microwave sensors and high-power pointed beams for computer connectivity.
Village resource centres
“In the 11th Plan we want to be more or less totally self-reliant in all space technologies. We will invest in new technologies required for high-power satellites, operationalisation of GSLV-MkIII and take new initiatives in recoverable and reusable launch systems,” Nair added.
“We have made a comprehensive package. It’s in line with our next 10-year profile. This I hope the government will be able to clear,” he further said.
ISRO’s outlay for the 9th Plan was Rs 6,900 crore and for the 10th Plan, Rs 15,000 crore.
Nair also said that ISRO would do more in the fields of telemedicine, tele-education and expanding village resource centres.
It has also plans to contribute to some national schemes like interlinking of rivers and new infrastructure development such as reclamation of wasteland.
Source: Press Trust of India and Spacemart
