The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that a new Science and Technology policy may be in place within a year to enhance capacity building for meaningful development in a decentralised manner.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of Indian Science Congress Associations in Kolkata today, Dr. Singh urged the scientific community to make more contribution for development of the country and asserted that the basic needs of providing people i food, clean water, shelter and education and other facilities can be addressed through scientific solutions.

The Prime Minister said that his government has invested huge amount for the development of science. Dr. Singh said though world class science institutions were built in the country but there use for the development process is not as much as should have been.

The Prime Minister said the government will relate science to integrated rural development and announced launch of hall of fame in cyber space to portray globally the contribution of Indian's to science.

The Prime Minister favoured a rational discourse while expressing concern over growing intolerance among people of dissent. Dr. Singh noted that people are losing the ability to engage in rational discourse where different points of view are expressed. He called for strengthening social harmony through the propogation of a scientific temper and an enlightened understanding of the meaning of freedom of expression.

The Prime Minister took over as the General President of Indian Science Congress Association. West Bengal Governor M.K. Narayanan, Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee and several Union Ministers were present on the occasion.