CSIR announces 400 Cr startup funds

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an India’s research and development (R&D) organisation, has announced a corpus of Rs 400 crore to fund innovation research from its own revenue. CSIR director-general Dr Girish Sahni addressed media at Hyderabad, who was in the city to deliver a scientific lecture at the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations of CSIR.

“CSIR created the innovation fund from its own revenue. More money will be pumped into the innovation corpus fund if needed. He also pressed on the importance to produce smart drugs. For example, the fourth generation clot buster drug will be available in the market in about eight years from now, he said.

Sahni also added that CSIR is promoting inter-season crops to boost farmer’s income. “We have identified crops to suit various states. In Telangana farmers can be asked to take up turmeric as an interseason crop. Essential oils obtained from aromatic plants can be routed through cooperatives. This will not only improve the income of farmers but also increase the production of aromatic oils,” he said.