District Science Centres: Twelve of 23 yet to get land

GUWAHATI: The fates of the 12 of the 23 proposed District Science Centres (DSCs) are not known as they are still to get land, let alone financial approval.

In his 2017-18 Budget speech, State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Our Government has given high priority to sustainable development of Science and Technology. Initiatives have been taken to promote science among the masses and establish new institutions of excellence in the state. In order to promote science in every nook and corner of the state, the government has decided to establish 23 district science centres in 2017."

When contacted on the progress of works of the proposed DSCs in the State, an official of the Science and Technology department said, "Financial approval of Rs 150.43 crore to 11 of the 23 district science centres (DSCs) were given in November 2020. Land for the South Salmara district science centre has been obtained, but the site isn't up to satisfaction.

"Eleven of the 23 district science centres for which financial approval has been given are the ones meant for Baksa, Biswanath, Charaideo, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Hailakandi, Hojai, Karimganj, Sonitpur and Udalguri districts. Preliminary works of the DSCs in these 11 districts have been initiated following financial approval.

"The eleven other districts have not even got land for the proposed science centres. Obtaining of land is a must for financial approval to the proposed schemes. The 11 proposed DSCs are in Barpeta, Chirang, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dima Hasao, Golaghat, Morigaon, West Karbi Anglong, Sivasagar, Nagaon and Tinsukia districts. The financial approval for these 12 DSCs will be cleared only after the allotment of satisfactory land for them is complete."