National Innovation Council Report Released

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today said the country needs creativity and innovation to address the problems of poverty, health and environment. Speaking after releasing the first report of the National Innovation Council, Dr Manmohan Singh said innovations in our country are not adequate for solving problems of the poor. He said the innovations have focussed mainly on the needs of the rich. Dr Singh said, innovation can be a game changer to move from incremental change to radical change. The Prime Minister said his government is committed to building an enabling environment for innovation to flourish. Noting that innovation has a critical role to play in India's growth and development, Dr Singh said the set of challenges the nation face is not only diverse, but also unique. 

Dr. Singh said the country would like to pioneer a model of innovation that addresses problems in areas such as poverty alleviation, health, rural communications, agriculture, animal husbandry and green energy. Dr Singh said the country is currently witnessing an innovative experiment in rights based delivery through a Right to Work, Right to Education and Right to Information. He said Right to Food Security is on the anvil.

The Prime minister said his government has already declared its intent to make the next decade a Decade of Innovation.

The Prime minister informed that Prasar Bharati has taken a decision to champion local innovations and local heroes of innovation. Dr Singh lauded the efforts of the National Innovation Council under the Chairmanship of Sam Pitroda and launched the India Innovative Portal . Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced that the government would provide 100 crore rupees for the India Innovation Fund, which would fund low-cost innovation.

Mr Mukherjee said innovation is important to sustain country's growth momentum. He also said a new approach is needed to encourage private sector for innovation. Amongst others, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Virbhdadra Singh and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia were also present.