On number of applications filed for patents in foreign countries
Last year CSIR had filed over 300 applications for getting patent rights; of these one- fourth were in the foreign countries. This year we intend to file 400 applications.

On the backlog at the domestic patent offices
There is a backlog of 30,000 applications at the four patent offices in the country. These are intended to be cleared over the next two years by inducting more number of qualified persons at all the four offices.

On whether there has been reduction in state funding at CSIR
There has been increased awareness as regards patents within the government in general and various departments like Department of Science and Technology, Department of Electronics, Department of Biotechnology and others in particular. Contrary to general perception, the government has been supportive of researchactivities and last year, we got an unprecedented 30 per cent hike at CSIR.
However, it is important that with more emphasis on liberalisation, there needs to be a shift in the 80:20 ratio of state to private sector funding of the research and development within the country.

On the amount required for R&D activities in the country and how to attract private capital
If India is to become technologically stronger in the next millennium, an amount of around Rs 500 crore, needs to be spent annually. It would be difficult for the government alone to fund this kind of money, and therefore, attracting more private capital in the country's R&D activities, both venture and foreign capital, will be important.
Currently, tax benefits are available to the corporate sector for R&D related activities as also introducing in the country products that have patent rights from Japan, the USA and EU. However, there needs to be increased policy thrust in this direction that the Lalita Gupte committee set up by theReserve Bank of India is working on issues relating to venture capital for technology sector is a good sign.

On the recent change in perception towards biotechnology and transgenic crops
Yes, of late there has been a change in the government's perception towards both biotechnology and transgenic crops. The change indicates that biotechnology will help improve foodgrains productivity in the country and that transgenic crops are safe.
The country's demand for foodgrains in 2020 is estimated to be around 350 million tonnes, up 140 million tonnes from the current levels of 210 million tonnes. While all-round efforts are being undertaken to bridge this demand- supply gap, we should not be afraid of the new technological developments in this field.
However, it is necessary for the concerned authorities to keep in mind that both food security as also safety from new technological developments are important.

On whether biotechnology will alone help improve foodgrains productivity
Modern biotechnologyhas come to stay and we should not be afraid of it. But it is not true that biotechnology will alone help us to improve foodgrains productivity and bridge the demand- supply gap. We should be cautious in our approach towards biotechnology, its tools and the resultant transgenic crops. There are contradictory reports flowing from the crop related developments in biotechnology and transgenic crops.
While considering the issues of food security and safety, it is also important to be cautious in our approach.
While the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the watchdog, is expected to clarify contradictory reports on biotechnology by creating informed awareness towards the subject, it is also necessary to experiment with other productivity improving techniques, which are not controversial and are easily and cheaply available.
Among others these are : plant molecular biology, to stimulate plant growth hormones; tissue culture varieties; improving productivity with improved inputs like micronutrients and moreuse of herbicides and the like.
We have not fully explored these techniques. The conventional wisdom of the farmers could also be used along with the new technologies.

On efforts to propagate patents awareness in the country
While online information is available on patents from various countries, insightful analysis of the available data and its constructive use is important as well. For this purpose, we have recently set up in Pune (Maharashtra) on-line service christened as Value Added Patent Info Service (VAPIS). All information relating to patents available the chemicals sector from the USA, Europe and Japan are available on CD Roms for the industry. Given the need for more patent-related information, we need to set up more VAPIS in the country.

On CSIR's efforts to assign its US patented products to companies in India
There are ongoing efforts in this direction, but not all researched and patented products have takers from the industrial sector. The viability of such patented products andprocess has to be commercially viable. We need to reduce the wide gap between research and its commercial applications.

On views on the forthcoming Seattle round of talks
Excellent preparations have already been made in this direction. However, while it is necessary to meet the WTO obligations, it is equallyimportant to see that our local industry remains protected.