Gujarat Government constitutes the Gujarat State Innovation Council

Gandhinagar, 26 July 2013

The Government of Gujarat has constituted the Gujarat State Innovation Council. A GR in this regard signed by Shri Jaydeep Dvivedi, Deputy Secretary to Government of Gujarat, Department of Science & Technology is presented below in full text:

Gujarat has been one of the pioneering States in spearheading innovative projects and models in fields as diverse as science and technology, agriculture and animal husbandry, trade and industry, education and health to name a few sectors.

Innovations are drivers of development and growth. With their cutting-edge role in enhancing productivity, boosting growth, increasing efficiency and creating new economic opportunities, the culture of innovation as well as innovative mindset promises to offer cost-effective and efficient solutions to the society. As the economies world over are moving towards innovation-driven knowledge economies, efforts are under way at the National and State levels to incorporate innovation as a strategy. The State Government is committed to establish institutional mechanism to encourage innovation, characterized by scientific temper and a spirit of inquiry and reform.

Building upon the rich legacy of the State and in conformity with the efforts of developing an Indian Model of Innovation, the Government of Gujarat intends to meaningfully pursue the innovation agenda by resolving as under:

Resolution:

After careful consideration, it has been decided to constitute the Gujarat State Innovation Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council). The Council will comprise the following members:

Chief Secretary Chairperson
Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department Member
Additional Chief Secretary, Industry & Mines Department Member
Additional Chief Secretary, Forests & Environment Department Member
Principal Secretary, Finance Department Member
Principal Secretary, Education Department Member
Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Co-operation Department Member
Secretary, Science & Technology Department Member-Secretary
Commissioner of Higher Education Member
Advisor, Gujarat Council on Science & Technology Convener

(The Council will also have sectoral experts / non-official members from different walks of life as may be nominated by the State Government from time to time.)

II. Vision:

The Council will be guided by the following vision:

‘To realize and harness the potential of innovation which will act as a catalyst for the multi-faceted balanced development and inclusive growth in the State.’

III. Objectives:

The Council will aim to provide a platform for enriching ideas and knowledge base for the Government and the society at large. It will aim to develop and recommend enabling policies, concrete strategies and action plans for creating an innovation-friendly ecosystem for facilitating innovation efforts in individual and collective pursuits of excellence. It will, inter alia create a conducive environment for honing innovation competencies in products, processes and services.

In response to the needs and aspirations of the modern times, the Council will facilitate the creation of an Inclusive Model of Innovation which will further improve public-service sector delivery through e-governance and generate new opportunities in key areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, animal husbandry, education, energy, transport, housing, etc., while also trying to do justice to areas such as Information and Communication Technology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology.

IV. Functions of the Council:

The same would be as follows:

Support the State Government to incentivize innovation in the State;
Encourage talent at the individual level as also colleges and universities, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), R&D Institutes, etc. at the institutional level;
Help create innovation eco-systems;
Explore opportunities for innovation in the State;
Reward talent in innovation and disseminate success stories;
Organize seminars, workshops and discourses on innovation;
Create the State Innovation Portal towards furthering awareness;
Organize risk capitals for promoting entrepreneurship;
To evolve a mechanism to protect innovations through IPRs; and
Prepare an Innovation Roadmap for the Decade for the State.

V. Secretariat of the Council:

The Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST) working under the aegis of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat will act as the Nodal Organization for the Council.

VI. Meeting of the Council:

The Council would meet, at least, twice in a year or as required from time to time.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Gujarat,

Shri Jaydeep Dvivedi
Deputy Secretary to Government of Gujarat,
Department of Science & Technology.