The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023
After receiving the assent of the President on the 12th August, 2023, the
Official Gazette of India published The Anusandhan National Research Foundation
Act, 2023 which was introduced in Lok Sabha on 4th August, 2023.
The Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 is repealed and Science and
Engineering Research Board is dissolved under this act, along with the
establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation to offer high-level
strategic guidance for entrepreneurship, innovation, and research in the natural
sciences, including the mathematical sciences and engineering and technology,
earth and environmental sciences, agriculture, health, considering the
intersections between science and technology in the social sciences and
humanities, should encourage, oversee, and offer assistance as needed for this
kind of study and for related issues.
Functions and Administration of NRF
The administrative Department of NRF will be The Department of Science and
Technology (DST) along with the governance of a Governing Board consisting of
eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines. The Foundation,
established under this act is the apex corporate body, to provide high level
strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, having
perpetual succession and a common seal, with power subject to the provisions of
this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable,
and to contract which can sue or be sued.
Sectional Analysis
The Act clearly specifies the appointment of Chief Executive Officer of the
Foundation, Committees of the Executive Council, Executive Council, Governing
Board of the Foundation and members of the Governing Board or the Executive
Council which includes the President, Vice-President and Chairperson in the
initial sections.
The objective of the act is to provide highly effective strategic direction
preparing the roadmap for research and development, seeding, growing and
facilitating research at academic and research institutions, funding, assisting,
supporting, evolving nationally coordinated programmes, encouraging
collaboration with scientists and the Public Sector Enterprises as well as the
private sector entities to invest in the activities of the Foundation.
The Governing Board, meetings of Governing Board, meetings and functions of
Executive Council, Chief Executive Officer and other officers and employees of
Foundation, constitution of committees, funds of Foundation, budget, annual
report, accounts and audit, annual report and auditor's report along with rules
and regulations which are to be laid before Parliament, certification and report
which are to be furnished, power of Governing Board to delegate and to issue
directions, application of other laws which are not barred, protection of action
taken in good faith, power of Executive Council to make regulations, repeal and
savings are enumerated intelligibly.
Accounts, Audit and Financial Analysis
The sources are scrutinized with clarity from which the Foundation receives its
funds and budget. After the President has given the appropriation, the Central
Government grants loans. Donations received from public sector enterprises, the
private sector, philanthropist organisations, foundations or international
bodies, income from investment, amounts with the Fund for Science and
Engineering Research under the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008
and the recoveries made of the amounts granted.
Establishment of Anusandhan National Research Foundation Fund, the Innovation
Fund, the Science and Engineering Research Fund and Special Purpose Funds for
any specific project or research.
Rules and regulations regarding preparation of budget, maintaining proper
accounts in such form and manner at such time and at such intervals as may be
prescribed for the next financial year, showing the estimated receipts and
expenditure of the Foundation, annual report, giving a full account of the
Foundation's activities and preparation of annual statement of accounts by the
Executive Council which is to be approved by the Governing Board, and forwarded
the same to the Central Government.
According to the act, the accounts of the Foundation are audited by the
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India annually and any expenditure incurred
in connection with such audit are payable by the Foundation to the Comptroller
and Auditor-General of India.
Inference:
The Act will establish partnerships between business, academia, government
agencies, and research facilities; additionally, it will establish an interface
system that will enable businesses, State governments, and scientific and line
ministries to participate and contribute.
Its main goals will be to establish regulatory procedures and a framework for
policy that will promote industrial cooperation and higher research and
development expenditures. On a concluding note, the act will enhance India's
potential for transformation in science, knowledge endeavour, and national
research infrastructure.
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