Defence research gets a sizeable chunk, with Rs 2,785 crore allocated for research in defence-related R and D. Two other important sectors whose outlays have been enhanced are those of space and atomic energy. Space has been allocated Rs 1,755 crore, a hike of 16 per cent over last fiscal year, while atomic energy merits a 32 per cent increase to get Rs 1,537 crore in the 1999-2000 budget.

Having embarked on an ambitious programme to develop a cryogenic engine and to establish a second launch pad at Sriharikota, the increase in funding would be welcomed by scientists at the Department of Space.

Nuclear power schemes have been given Rs 1,424 crore, of which Rs 16.5 crore has been assigned for the prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam.

Apart from its regular programmes, the DAE's funds are expected to bechannelled into a new National Centre for Applied Mathematics and Radiophysics at the Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Mumbai, and a waste immobilisation plant at Trombay to process nuclear wastes.

Three major schemes focussing on new vaccines against dreaded diseases, innovations at the grassroot level, research into bio-resources were also approved.

Another notable hike has been in the electronics sector, where the outlay has been pushed up by 33 per cent to Rs 208 crore, reflecting the emphasis being given to this crucial area.

The three new schemes announced by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha include a corpus fund of Rs 20 crore for setting up a National Foundation for small innovators. It is hoped that this would give a fillip to inventors, not just from the scientific community but also from among the common people and to innovate and adapt their inventions for commercial production.

A national innovation registry announced by the Finance Ministry would ensure that even those inventionsfor which a patent has not been filed would be protected.

With the need for vaccines against diseases like HIV/AIDS gaining a new urgency, the technology mission on vaccines will renew the focus on indigenous development and large-scale production of vaccines.

Among the various tasks to be taken up by the new National Bioresources Board is the coordination of the efforts of different Ministries and departments in the field of biodiversity preservation. The board will also document the enormous biological wealth of the country and draw up a plan for its rational exploitation without endangering or depleting the bioreserve stocks in the country.