Science and Technology

Q.
I would ask some questions on a subject you are deeply interested in. 1 believe early lust year you had written to the Prime Minister on development of science and technology. Could you tell us what are the possible ways in which the Govern­ment's policy in this field can be improved?

A.
Unfortunately they are giving tip some of the major planks of our policy. The first thing that disturbed me was the dis­satisfaction that I have noticed among the scientists. The scientists need to be taken into confidence in formulating policy matters. In one major area of self-reliance the efforts are being given up. For illustration, I would take the question of the present Government's policy on nuclear energy. The unilateral announce­ment about nuclear explosion by the Prime Minister amounts to giving up the basic right of the Indian people.

Q.
Are you in favour of continuing peaceful explosions?

A.
Yes. I am. It is our right. Whether I would go on doing it is a matter of decision after detailed thinking. But I do not want to give up my right of having explosions. If it is found necessary in the interest of peaceful nuclear development in India, I would certainly go ahead and do it.

Q.
Do you think that the benefits of peaceful nuclear explosion are really in proportion to the money that is being spent on it?

A.
It did not require much of investment. Even the Pokharan explosion proved that it was not a costly investment. But unless we make experiments, how do we know about it?

Q.
There was some problem with Canada regarding fuel supply for nuclear plants, and you had given a statement on the subject in Parliament. Could you give your views on nuclear fuel in this context?

A.
After the Pokharan explosion, the nuclear powers have been a trying to put pressure on India. Canada was the first country which took steps to discontinue their co-operation. This was the tactic of the developed countries, and the hesitation on supplies of nuclear fuel that we are now experiencing for Tarapore is a further illustration of the attitude of the developed countries. I think we will have to take it for granted that this is going to be the position and we will have to develop our own technology.