New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) Chairman of Scientific Advisory Council to Prime Minister, Prof C N R Rao today met the Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh to inform him about the latest scenario on scientific innovations, research and development and its potential applications for the rural areas of the country.

Prof Rao told the Mminister that he was in favour of linking the rural masses with research and development activities by setting up a joint mechanism between the scientist fraternity of the country and the ministry of rural development. It was time to work out cost effective and viable technologies for the rural folks.

Dr Prasad on his agreement with Dr Rao had requested the Council to concentrate on the areas where services suitable for rural areas could be provided and there should be concrete ideas in this regard.

The technologies developed should be in tune with the approach of the Ministry, he added.

The next meeting of the Council with the Rural Development Ministry will be held on July 25.

Secretary, Rural Development, Dr Subas Pani, Prof Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Dr K Vijay Raghavan, Dr Kiran Karnik, Dr M K Bhan, Dr N K Ganguly, Dr Mangala Rai and Dr T Ramasami of the Scientific Advisory Council were among those who attended the meeting.

UNI