Minister Pun says innovation can curb youth migration by creating opportunities at home

KATHMANDU: Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun has said the trend of young people going abroad would be gradually reduced if an environment that engages youth through innovation is created in the country.

Responding to questions during debate on the Appropriation Bill, 2083 in today’s National Assembly meeting, he said a separate ministry had been established after prolonged efforts and that the sector’s budget is increasing.

Pun said he felt compelled to enter politics because previous governments had given insufficient priority to science and technology. He added that one per cent of capital expenditure, equivalent to Rs 4 billion, has been allocated to the ministry and that he has urged provinces and local levels to allocate one per cent of their capital expenditure to science and technology.

The minister said the ministry is preparing rules and laws and conducting an organisation and management survey. He said the bill related to a national forensic laboratory is under consideration and that the budget for the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology would be increased.

“Investment in the science and technology sector should be increased for the country’s prosperity. Scientists and learned people who are abroad should be brought back to the country. We are working on it,” he said.

By RSS