New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) India Monday announced more funds for improving its weather and monsoon forecasting and for strengthening polar science activities. The union budget saw a 28 percent jump in the allocation for the ministry of earth sciences.
The outlay for the ministry of earth sciences was increased from Rs.950 crore last year to Rs.1,220 crore this year, according to the budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The budget provided Rs.352 crore for implementation of phase I of the modernisation of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), including ongoing activities such as space meteorology, agro advisory services and aviation meteorology.
Continuing Indian efforts in polar sciences, a Rs.260 crore allocation has been made for the sector, including expenditure on Indian efforts in the Antarctica and southern ocean studies and setting up of the third permanent research station in the continent.
