Terming as "unfortunate"regression in some sectors of Indian science due to red tape and political interference, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked scientists to engage with government to liberate it from shackles of "bureaucratism and in-house favouritism". <br/><br/>He was inagurating the five day long 97th Indian Science Congress in Thiruananthpuram today which is being attended by about seven thousand delegates including nobel laureats and eminent scientists from across the globe . He asked Indian scientists working abroad to return to the country to convert the "brain drain" to "brain gain". Listing out steps taken by his government , the Prime Minister said a special scheme named Consolidation of University Research, Innovation and Excellence (CURIE) has been launched to attract more women to take up careers in science.Dr. Singh announced that the government was considering revision of the value of doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships as well as formulation of schemes that would cover all research scholars with some funding support.<br/><br/>He said, the National Science and Engineering Research Board will start functioning by March. The Board is expected to function as an independent body comprising eminent scientists which would allot funds for research projects, he said.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister said the landmark agreement with the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifting long-standing restrictions on transfer of nuclear fuel to India has paved the way for an accelerated nuclear power development programme.<br/><br/>Prime Minister said steps to improve science requires not only money but change in mindset, including that of the senior faculty and university administration. Noting that the government has declared 2010-2020 as a"decade of innovation", he said, India needs new solutions in many areas to achieve the goals of inclusive and sustainable growth. He said, some innovative policy readjustments may be required to build vibrant public-private-partnerships in the science and technology.