Union Minister Jitendra Singh proposes ‘National Geospatial Data Repository’ to leverage startup ecosystems

New Delhi (India), August 10 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday, while chairing a joint meeting of all science ministries and departments of the Government of India at Prithvi Bhavan, proposed setting up of a national geospatial data repository and a PPP model.

Addressing the gathering, Jitendra Singh directed the Department of Space, Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences to create a unified geospatial interface to leverage industries and start-up ecosystems to create innovative and indigenous products for the welfare of farmers, rural artisans and others.

Jitendra Singh highlighted the seamless merging of Geo-ICT infrastructure. He also shared the mantra of a sustainable ecosystem based on pooling knowledge and resources in collaboration with non-governmental sectors in PPP mode.

The Minister stressed the importance of early industry connection and multiplying benefits to the common man when initiatives like these reach scale and size. He also assured that all departments under the ministry will work in coordination to achieve a common goal.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a review of the month-long National Space Day celebrations and the main event on August 23 at Bharat Mandapam. He also took stock of other important events in the coming days.

The Union Minister also took stock of the progress made on the proposed ‘Vigyan Shakti’ portal and shared a few observations based on his own experience with science portals.

The unified online repository of Indian science and technology has been launched and the feedback has been submitted to the minister. The department has also sought his directions for further integration and enhancement of the portal to make it a single nodal point for all science departments. (ANI)