An expert committee set up for the second national awards for technology innovation in petrochemical and downstream plastic processing industry is believed to have completed the screening and evaluating process and submitted its recommendations to the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC).

The expert committee, headed by Director General of Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) S K Nayak, was constituted up to January 31, 2012 and according to sources, is said to have submitted its specific recommendations by February 1, 2012.

Under the National Policy on Petrochemicals, the DCPC had entrusted CIPET with all the work relating to the processing of applications including organisation of the National Awards for Technology Innovation. The innovation award scheme has been initiated to motivate the industry and investors to carry out innovative research and development work.

CIPET, Chennai provided all logistical support for the members of the committee. It also bore the expenditure towards TA, DA in connection with the visits of the non-official members of the expert committee from the funds provided under the scheme.

The functions of the expert committee were:

1. To screen and shortlist the nominations as per provisions of the application format and stipulated guidelines. 2. To evaluate the shortlisted nominations, as per defined categories and evaluation criteria, in a transparent manner. 3. To visit and assess the capability and potential of the applicants, if required, as provided in the applications. 4. To recommend selected nomination to the prize awards committee along with justification, reason for selection and rejection of recommended or rejected applications.

The scheme aims to incentivise meritorious innovations and invention in the field of polymeric material and products, polymers in agriculture, water conservation and public healthcare and research in the field of polymer science and technology.

In the year 2010-11, the application and evaluation process were modified so as to facilitate maximum participation in the award scheme in the second year of its implementation. The revised modus operandi, inter alia, included setting up of the expert committee to screen and evaluate the nomination and standing committee to select the award winners.

According to the DCPC, the awards are aimed at improving the performance of the existing product and its quality leading to better acceptance and increase in demands of the product in the competitive market of polymers and plastics.