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The central government is planning to frame and introduce a new national policy aimed at boosting science and technology, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh revealed here on Saturday. Dr. Singh said this while addressing the inception ceremony as the general president of the Indian Science Congress Association on the occasion of its centenary year celebrations. Union Science and Technology Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh, West Bengal 's Governor M K Narayanan, and chief minister Mamata Banerjee accompanied Dr. Singh at the function. Underscoring the role of science in the country's development agenda, the Prime Minister said a new policy was needed to ensure India remained in sync with the rapid changes in technology across the world. "Over the course of this year, we hope to formulate a new Science and Technology Policy that would update the existing policy document of 2003 in the light of a rapidly changing scientific environment in the country and the world. We have to keep pace with what is happening elsewhere in the scientific and technological world and the evolving aspirations of the people of India , particularly the young people of the country," he said. Dr. Singh asserted that there was a growing need to enhance the realm of science and technology to not only propel development, but also to resolve crucial issues of national concern. " The burden on science in the future will only increase and we have to be prepared to shoulder new responsibilities. Our problems as a nation are in many ways overwhelming and they need scientific and technological solutions," he added.

Manmohan Singh promises new national policy on science and technology by year-end