Globalisation and Economic liberalization policies of the Government have led to increased competition in the industries. Considering the WTO (World Trade Organization) agreement and its implications, Govt. has been encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Technology Upgradation for enhancement of competitive advantage of the Indian Industry. State Industrial Policy also recognizes the need for Technology upgradation and modernization in industries.
The State Government lays emphasis on Research & Development including the following aspects :
· Assistance to Research & Development Institutions for modernization and addition/upgradation in their facilities.
· Setting up of new R&D Institutions as may be required.
· Adoption of clusters to carry out upgradation of Technology.
· Promotion of Contract Research.
· Setting up of Common Testing facilities.
· Setting up of Quality Certification Agencies.
· Accreditation/ Affiliation with national/ international quality, testing agencies.
· Innovations by Small Scale Enterprises.
· Setting up of Institutions for innovation and incubation.
· Facilitation cells for Patents & IPR (Intellectual Property Rights).
· Encouragement for filing patents on Research & Development.
· Assistance to Technology Development Cells and all other activities related to Research & Development.
While the interest subsidy assistance to individual industrial units in Small Sector is offered for Technology upgradation as part of GR dated 14/11/2000, assistance to all other activities related to Research and Development and Patent Registration will be provided under this GR.
1) There are several Research and Development Institutions in the State. For reinforcing these institutions and undertaking activities with regard to technology upgradation, modernization, research & development, testing, evaluation, calibration, quality certification information dissemination training activities etc for the industries, financial assistance is required. There is also need to support new R&D institutions in specific fields.
The State Govt. will provide assistance on proposals received from the R&D institutions. The quantum will depend on specific proposal, its impact on SSIs development and the extent of support available from the State. However, the following will be considered:
i) All Research & Development Institutions in Gujarat will be eligible for the assistance.
ii) Specific R&D project proposals from Research & Development Institutions including those established by Govt. and Private Sector and in-house, R&D units recognized by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India will be eligible.
iii) Sponsored R&D project proposals by Industries Association or individual industrial units will be eligible.
iv) Technology upgradation proposals (including those under cluster development programmes), modernization and accreditation of facilities of the R&D institutions, industry sponsored research & development, technology innovation and incubation, product/process development, entrepreneurship and skill development and awareness programmes for upgradation of quality of products, process and systems and technology and information dissemination etc will be considered as eligible activities.
2) Assistance (Cash subsidy) will be provided for meeting the expenses incurred by any organization, institution, individual or industrial units for obtaining patent registration as per national/ international rules and regulations. For this purpose, assistance will be provided at the rate of 50% (maximum Rs.5 lakhs) of necessary expenditure incurred for obtaining the Patent/ IPR. However, this assistance will be given only once per product/ process per institution/ individual.
3) A Committee consisting of following members is constituted for sanction of assistance with respect to various proposals for Research & Development patent registration.
1. Additional Chief Secretary (I&M) Chairman
2. Principal Secretary, Finance
Member
(Economic Affairs)
3. Industries Commissioner Member
4. Addl./Dy.Secretary(I&M) Member
5. Chief Industrial Advisor Member-Secretary
The above committee will also monitor the progress of the projects for which the grant is sanctioned.
4) The application/ proposal under the scheme will be received and processed by Industries Commissionerate. The decision of the committee will be communicated by Industries Commissionerate.
5) The expenditure on this account will be met from the sanctioned grant of the respective financial year under budget head 2852-industries, -SE 80 General-IND-6, Research and Development, (09) Grant in Aid to others.