With the establishment of the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, which had Research and Development by Industry (RDI) as one of its first schemes, the Council’s undertaking numerous activities in the field of industrial research provided a strong technological infrastructure to industry in the country.
The Council’s activities covered a chain of national laboratories, specialised centres, various R&D and academic institutions and training centres. A scheme for granting recognition to in-house R&D units in industry operated by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was initiated.
The incentives and support measures made available to recognised in-house R&D units in industry were: (i) Income Tax relief on R&D expenditure, (ii) Weighted Tax Deduction for sponsored research, (iii) Customs Duty exemption on goods imported for use in government-funded R&D projects, (iv) Duty Waiver for three years on goods produced on indigenously based developed technologies and duly patented in any of the countries in European Union, USA, Japan, (v) Accelerated Depreciation Allowance on plant and .machinery based on indigenous technology, (vi) Exemption from price control for bulk drugs produced based on indigenous technology, (vii) Financial support for R&D programmes, (viii) National Awards for outstanding in-house R&D achievements, and other indirect benefits. DSIR is the nodal department for granting recognition to in-house R&D centres.
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There were 1786 units having valid recognition on December 31, 2007. Twelve industrial houses received National awards in 2007. Eighteen certificates involving over Rs. 1590 million rupees as cost of plant and machinery based on indigenous technology were issued by the council.
Programme Aimed at Technological Self-Reliance (PATSER) has a scheme which provides on a selective basis partial financial support to Research, Development, Design and Engineering (RODE) projects in the areas of (i) development and demonstration of new or improved product and process technologies, including those for specialised capital goods, for both domestic and export markets, and (ii) absorption and up gradation of imported technology.
Under the PATSER programmes, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has provided partial financial support to about 80 industrial units.
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The Scheme to Enhance the Efficacy of Transfer of Technology (SEETOT) covers the National Register of Foreign Collaborations (NRFC) and Transfer and Trading in Technology (TATT) and Promotion and Support to Consultancy Services (PSCS).
The objective of NRFC scheme is” to gainfully facilitate acquisition of technology needed in the country.
Major activities include: compilation and analysis of data on approved foreign collaborations; undertaking financial”, economic and legal analysis of set of data on foreign collaborations; carrying out technology status studies covering the state-of-the-art technology in use in the country, international trends and other related issues; providing assistance in the effective transfer of technology process.
The TATT scheme aims to promote and support activities towards export of technologies, projects and services.
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The measures included: support to preparation of reports related to technology export capabilities and experience in select industrial sectors; publicity and dissemination of Indian capabilities through workshops, trade fairs, delegation and video films; and supporting demonstrations of technologies identified for export.
The scheme relating to Promotion and Support to Consultancy Services (PSCS) essentially aims to strengthen consulting capabilities for domestic and export markets.
The activities have been mainly towards completing the on-going studies towards documenting consultancy needs and capabilities in important industrial sectors at state levels and providing institutional and programme support to Consultancy Development Centre (CDC).
The CDC became a non-profit society, with a view to implementing some of the programmes of DSIR and promote and strengthen the consultancy capabilities in the country. It is not to undertake any commercial activity itself but earn revenues to the extent possible, through specialised programmes and activities. DSIR is providing recurring and non-recurring support to CDC.