Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 20: In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh informed the House about huge earnings from foreign satellites launch.
The Minister stated on the floor of the House that revenue generated from foreign satellite launches during the decade 2014-23 is USD157 Million and 260 Million Euros respectively. The corresponding figures during the UPA rule decade of 2003-13 were only USD15 Million and 32 Million Euros respectively, he added.
Out of 432 foreign satellites launched by India so far in total, as many as 396 foreign satellites have been launched in the last over 9 years after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, which is about 90%, said Dr Jitendra Singh. The number of foreign satellites launched by India during the period 2014-23 were 396 while in the UPA rule from 2003 to 2013 were only 33, he said.
The Minister further stated, Annual Budget allocated to the Department of Space has grown from Rs. 6792 cr for FY 2013-14 to Rs. 12544 cr for FY 2023-24.
As per various global estimates and news outlets, the sector is projected to grow at 6-8 % in coming years.
In reply to another question in the same House, Dr Jitendra Singh stated, several recent measures have been taken which include Sponsored Research programme (RESPOND) for promoting Space research in academia. Other measures, he said, include establishment of Space Technology Cells (STCs), Regional Academic Centres for Space (RAC-S), Space Technology Incubation Centres (STICs) at various technical institutes across the country.
Other recent programmes are as follows, Yuva Vijyani Karyakram Young Scientists Programme (YUVIKA) for young high school students involving two weeks training, hands on skills, interaction with eminent scientists and facility visit, Space Tutor Programme: Enabling NGOs & Institutions in promoting Space Education & outreach across the country, Antariskh Jigyasa Portal: for educating students online in space Science and Technology, Outreach through Space Exhibitions/ Conferences/ Museums and Space on Wheels with Six such units covering areas across country, Indian Space Science & Technology (IIST) and Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), which offer short and long term courses etc.
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