Shivraj Patil asks industry to invest in research and development
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday asked industry bodies to invest in the "important area" of research and development and work together with the government for the technological advancement of the country.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Thursday asked industry bodies to invest in the "important area" of research and development and work together with the government for the technological advancement of the country.
From the point of view of construction industry, research and development activities in the fields of building material and design would help in constructing houses that could mitigate the risks from natural disasters, he said.
Patil was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day 'International Conference on Construction: Managing Earthquake Risk' here, organised by the Construction Industry Development Council along with the National Disaster Management Authority.
"In India, only the Union government is engaged in R and D (Research and Development). It is difficult for individual private industries to invest a lot of money in this area. But industry federations can do it, by joining hands and pooling funds," he said.
The government has already been extending tax concessions for such initiatives and is ready to offer more assistance, he said adding, "cooperation of government, private and cooperative organisations is extremely important".
Patil said though the National Disaster Management Act has been adopted, the necessary rules and the legal framework required to implement it will have to be prepared.
"The NDMA has undertaken this task. But only making rules may not get results. For disaster-resistance construction, awareness will have to be increased at every level -- workers, engineers, local bodies, even the owners of buildings that are being constructed," he said.
From the point of view of construction industry, research and development activities in the fields of building material and design would help in constructing houses that could mitigate the risks from natural disasters, he said.
Patil was speaking at the conclusion of a two-day 'International Conference on Construction: Managing Earthquake Risk' here, organised by the Construction Industry Development Council along with the National Disaster Management Authority.
"In India, only the Union government is engaged in R and D (Research and Development). It is difficult for individual private industries to invest a lot of money in this area. But industry federations can do it, by joining hands and pooling funds," he said.
The government has already been extending tax concessions for such initiatives and is ready to offer more assistance, he said adding, "cooperation of government, private and cooperative organisations is extremely important".
Patil said though the National Disaster Management Act has been adopted, the necessary rules and the legal framework required to implement it will have to be prepared.
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"The NDMA has undertaken this task. But only making rules may not get results. For disaster-resistance construction, awareness will have to be increased at every level -- workers, engineers, local bodies, even the owners of buildings that are being constructed," he said.
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