National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT): The increasing role of science and technology in the economic and social development of the country generated a pressing demand for faster technology transfer to the industries. In fact information centres serving the needs of different industries and Research & Development units, were therefore required to be coordinated and organized into an integrated system to avoid a haphazard growth and duplication of activities and to conform to national and international standards. In order to meet this requirement the National Information System for Science & Technology (NISSAT) was launched in 1977. In tune with the changing global scenario and in pursuance of the national efforts in liberalization and globalization of the economy, NISSAT reoriented its programme activities continually in order to be useful to a wider base of clientele in diverse subjects. Besides establishing the internal linkages between the information industry, its promoters and users, NISSAT also made efforts to establish a bridge between information resource developers and users in India and other countries.
a) History: In 1971 the government of India made a request to UNESCO for advising the government about the establishment of an information network in science and technology in the country. In 1972, Dr. Peter Lazer, who worked as a consultants submitted a report on NISSAT. In 1973, the panel group of National Committee on Science and Technology (NCST) recommended the establishment of NISSAT under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and finally NISSAT was launched on 13th May 1977 under the Department of Science and Technology and was put under the charges of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in the Ministry of Science and Technology..
b) Closure of Scheme: The scheme has not been included as a component of the Tenth Plan of the Planning Commission. So, finally the NISSAT comes to an end. Though, it has not been possible to provide financial assistance to many of the projects during 2002-03, most of them continued their activities and provided services.
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