A Parliamentary Standing Committee has sounded alarm bells over the government's ambitious Rs 20,000 crore deep tech push, warning of potential fund misuse. The 50-year interest-free loan scheme, aimed at boosting cutting-edge research in the private sector, faces scrutiny for its implications on national security and limited return on investment. The committee expressed concerns about fund managers' competence in identifying impactful projects and suggested the substantial allocation could have been more effective if directed towards government institutions. Despite acknowledging the government's bold initiative to encourage innovation, the panel urged careful consideration of these apprehensions while formulating detailed guidelines for the scheme's implementation.
Source: The Indian Express