Kathmandu, January 6:

The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MoEST) is working to channel funds that have remained idle at different ministries for the development of science and technology in the country, the assistant minister of EST said today.

“On one hand, a large amount of money remains unused every year because of the inefficiency on the part of the officials to make use of the budget,” he said, adding: “On the other, scientists have not been able to launch research projects due to lack of funds.”

“We are working to promote science and technology by channeling money for such projects,” Lohar said at a concluding ceremony of the four-day school on Astronomy and Astrophysics in the capital today. The BP Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory and Science Museum Development Committee (BPOSMDC) Singhadurbar had organised the school.

The total budget of the ministry is about one billion. “Useful research projects can be launched only if the budget is increased by at least five-folds,” he said, adding that he would focus on increasing budget and promoting scientists.

Students, scientists and the ministry should work hand in hand to promote science and technology, Lohar said.

During the function, Lohar also handed over certificates to the participating students and teachers of the school.

One of the participants at the school, Ishwor Koirala, said the school had benefited the participants. Such programmes should be organised in other parts of the nation as well, Koirala said.

The participants got an opportunity to know about latest developments in the sector and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) of the United States, he said.

“It is high time the National Planning Commission thought about averting brain-drain,” he said, warning: “Nepal will only have oldies and children left very soon if brain-drain is not averted.”