The State Government has formed a new society to promote science and technology.
The society titled “Odisha State Council on Science & Technology” headed by the Chief Minister would advise the Government for implementation of various schemes and programmes apart from popularising science among people.
While the Science & Technology Minister has been appointed as the vice-chairman of the society, the State Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, the Union IT and Biotechnology and Space Science Secretaries, State Finance and Science & Technology Secretaries, Nalco chairman, RSP chairman, OUAT Vice-Chancellor, IIT Bhubaneswar, NISER and AIIMS Directors, two eminent experts and State Science & Technology Director are its members, among others.
The society would identify various locations for development of science and technology in the economic and social sectors. The locations would be identified especially in backward, unemployed and rural areas. The society would identify people belonging to SC and ST, landless labourers, artists and small and marginal farmers.
The society would offer proposals to the Government for blueprint of the schemes on technology, which are required for implementation of the schemes especially in the health, education and human resources sectors.
To popularise science among people, wall posters, broachers, books, films and useful kits would be prepared. Besides, seminars and meetings would be organised with help of the society.
The society in association with different Government, international and national NGOs would promote science in rural areas. It would organise plantation progarmme apart from emphasising on increasing use of renewable energies in rural areas.
The society would also take initiative to popularise space science among students. Besides, it would take initiative to set up science centres, science hubs, planetariums and science museums in different locations of the State.