Bhubaneswar, Mar 30: As many as 27 scientists from Odisha are carrying out research studies on space science under the aegis of Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC). They are researching in the field of remote sensing, Geographic Information System and Information technology, said Minister for Science and Technology Ashok Chandra Panda.  

Answering an assembly question, Panda said, the Science and Technology department is encouraging scientific research among the young scholars in the state.

As many as three posts of Junior Scientist and two posts of Senior Scientists have been created in different departments.

In addition, several Odia scientists are working in Government of India’s organisations including Indian Institute of Management and Technology (IIMT), Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Institute of Technology (IIT), National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Institute of Science Education and Research (ISER), and Regional Medical Research  Centre (RMRC).

As many as 232 postgraduate scholarships have been disbursed along with 20 PhD fellowships under Biju Patnaik Research Fellowship initiative every year.

Similarly, the working scientists are being provided with financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for a three-year research project under their supervision.