Since its establishment under an Act of Parliament in 1996, TDB has relied upon independent expert committees rather than individual officials for evaluating technology proposals NEW DELHI: The government on Friday said the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is being implemented through a robust institutional framework with “stringent conflict-of-interest safeguards” in place, highlighting that it is designed “not to exclude domain expertise but to regulate it through clearly defined conflict-of-interest provisions”.Rebutting a media report that 15 of the 22 entities that got public funds to boost India’s deep-tech ambitions have investment links to seven members of the selection committee, raising questions of conflict of interest and propriety, Technology Development Board (TDB) secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the mere existence of a professional or investment association with an innovation ecosystem entity does not constitute a violation of conflict-of-interest norms.”What the framework requires is full disclosure of such interests and complete recusal from the evaluation and decision-making process relating to the proposal concerned… All members had, accordingly, recused themselves, and each decision was taken not by simple majority but by super-majority (two-thirds) of eligible members,” said Pathak.”Members who declare a conflict of interest neither participate in discussions nor vote on the concerned proposal.” Pathak also underlined that TDB has “consistently followed similar conflict-of-interest safeguards for nearly three decades” while supporting indigenous technology development.Since its establishment under an Act of Parliament in 1996, TDB has relied upon independent expert committees rather than individual officials for evaluating technology proposals.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe same institutional principles continue to govern project selection under the RDI Fund, reinforcing continuity, credibility and public confidence in the decision-making process, he added.Prof Umesh V Waghmare, secretary in the department of science and technology and TDB chairperson, said the government has followed the conflict-of-interest guidelines and framework diligently and strongly believes that there have been no violations. TDB is one of the agencies selected to grant money under the Centre’s Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund. It has, so far, approved assistance for 22 projects involving Rs 2,192 crore of financing.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosOMCs Say E20 Petrol Meets Quality Standards After Nationwide Testing, Reject Contamination ClaimsNeha Bora Inked During Jharkhand Student Protest: AISA Alleges Political Attack, Accused DetainedJharkhand JPSC Protest: Hunger Striker Hospitalised After Four Days As Students Continue AgitationTamil Nadu CM Vijay’s Wife Sangeetha Withdraws Divorce Petition, Family Court Allows Withdrawal’Proof Of Corruption?’ JPSC Aspirant Makes Explosive Claims As Student Protests Intensify In RanchiExplained: Why PM Modi Asked NDA MPs To Avoid The ‘Lutyens’ Web’ And Stay Focused On Public OutreachBeyond BrahMos: Why Drones And Smart Weapons Could Become India’s Next Defence Export Boom?Gen-Alpha Grabs Spotlight At Ranchi JPSC-JSSC Protest As 13-Year-Old Zaid’s Appeal Goes ViralCentre Opposes Creamy Layer For SC-ST Quota, Says Discrimination Goes Beyond Economic StatusIAF’s : Bhawana Kanth Earns ‘Top Gun’ Title, Shivani Sehrawat Becomes Army Chief’s ADC123PhotostoriesExclusive – Farrhana Bhatt on Khatron Ke Khiladi 15, Shagun Sharma’s bullying claims against Gaurav Khanna and his divorce from Akanksha Chamola9 traditional South Indian Chicken Curries perfect for weekend dinnerHow to Wear a Tulsi Mala: 7 Important Things to Remember10 unique baby girl names that sound modern yet timelessKriti Sanon owns the night in a midnight-blue Gaurav Gupta couture gown embellished with 5,500 striking crystalsWhy marinating meat is important and 6 mistakes to avoid5 budget-friendly celebrity beauty hacks that actually work7 traditional Goan breads you need to try at least onceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah fame Shailesh Lodha’s luxurious home: A cozy lounge, a stunning balcony and moreNational Handloom Day: 5 Indian handlooms that carry the legacy of the cities they were born in123Hot PicksThailand School ShootingUPI TransactionsAsk Me AnythingJharkhand protestGurgaon rainNICL Assistant RecruitmentAnkur WarikooIndia Labour CodesGold rate todayTop TrendingJapanese Quote of the dayNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeGujarat Mystery WellJPSC ProtestDelhi RainDelhi Wife MurderEknath ShindeTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case
NEW DELHI: The government on Friday said the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is being implemented through a robust institutional framework with “stringent conflict-of-interest safeguards” in place, highlighting that it is designed “not to exclude domain expertise but to regulate it through clearly defined conflict-of-interest provisions”.Rebutting a media report that 15 of the 22 entities that got public funds to boost India’s deep-tech ambitions have investment links to seven members of the selection committee, raising questions of conflict of interest and propriety, Technology Development Board (TDB) secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak said the mere existence of a professional or investment association with an innovation ecosystem entity does not constitute a violation of conflict-of-interest norms.“What the framework requires is full disclosure of such interests and complete recusal from the evaluation and decision-making process relating to the proposal concerned… All members had, accordingly, recused themselves, and each decision was taken not by simple majority but by super-majority (two-thirds) of eligible members,” said Pathak.“Members who declare a conflict of interest neither participate in discussions nor vote on the concerned proposal.” Pathak also underlined that TDB has “consistently followed similar conflict-of-interest safeguards for nearly three decades” while supporting indigenous technology development.Since its establishment under an Act of Parliament in 1996, TDB has relied upon independent expert committees rather than individual officials for evaluating technology proposals.
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The same institutional principles continue to govern project selection under the RDI Fund, reinforcing continuity, credibility and public confidence in the decision-making process, he added.Prof Umesh V Waghmare, secretary in the department of science and technology and TDB chairperson, said the government has followed the conflict-of-interest guidelines and framework diligently and strongly believes that there have been no violations. TDB is one of the agencies selected to grant money under the Centre’s Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund. It has, so far, approved assistance for 22 projects involving Rs 2,192 crore of financing.
