Taxing ‘frivolous’ industries will not fund India’s science

The article critiques the flawed proposition of taxing 'frivolous' industries to fund science, arguing against a zero-sum economic view and highlighting the positive economic cascade effects of such industries. It then delves into significant issues with India's current science funding mechanisms, including rigid government earmarking, cumbersome procurement rules (e.g., GeM), archaic recruitment policies (UGC Act), and crippling restrictions on private and foreign investment (CSR rules, FCRA). The author advocates for liberalizing these bottlenecks, reducing dependence on government, and removing taxes/duties on scientific equipment to foster better scientific research and funding.