We want to give India Inc latest R&D facilities: Ashutosh Sharma

The government will set up 15 research centres across the country where companies and startups can look for potentially disruptive ideas, Ashutosh Sharma, secretary, Department of Science & Technology, tells ET in an interview.
Edited excerpts:

What is the idea behind setting up research facilities for India Inc?

We feel that even as there is funding and research facilities for IITs, universities, R&D labs, CSIR and DRDO, this is not available for outsiders. Since industry is an important component of growth and innovation, we want to provide companies cutting-edge R&D facilities. In five years, we will set up 15 centres (three every year) across the country for the larger good of India Inc.