New Delhi: In order to deliberate on the strategies to realize the vision of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to develop Science Technology & Innovation (STI) as the keystone for State’s development, steps would be taken to promote technological solutions for replacement of coal with paddy straw based fuel pellets in industrial applications. This will not only reduce the emission load but will also create employment opportunities by generating market forces for setting up of pelletizationplants in the State.

These views were articulated by the Science, Technology & Environment, Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on his visit to Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (PSCST), the think-tank of State Departmernt of Science, Technology & Environment.

Meet Hayer appreciated that the State of Punjab has improved its rank on the India Innovation Index Ranking Framework and from being at the 10th rank last year, has emerged as 6th most innovative major State in the countrythis year. The Minister urged PSCST to continue synergizing and augmenting STI ecosystem to enable the State to scale newer heights.

The Minister assured that a mechanism would be developed for encouraging all development departments to articulate their grand challenges which could be addressed through research & development.

The Secretary Science Technology & Environment Rahul Tiwari highlighted the initiatives of PSCST in demonstrating cleaner technologies resulting in improvement of ambient air quality and economic benefits to MSMEs.

Executive Director, PSCST Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora made a detailed presentation to the Minister.