MOTE Approach to Science and Technology Plan :A Critique EVEN some of the most 'scientific5 technologists seem to believe, quite wrongly, that technology is applied science. Technology is as old as mankind; it grew with man in the process of production; it made man what he is. Science is, one can say, a derivative of technology, a recent phenomenon which has assumed a degree of independence. Today science implies 'know-why' and technology the 'know-how/ Science is available in a worldwide system of publications to anyone who knows the language. Technology is not so readily accessible because it must be learned by doing, it is e mbodied experience. Failure to understand this vital difference is one of the main drawbacks in our scientific and technological policy. As a result, science which produces knowledge and technology which produces wealth have both failed in India. Science and Technology Plan In his Foreword in 'An Approach to the Science and Technology Plan,9 C Subramaniam declared: It is the conviction of the government that if science and technology are to make an impact on the quality of life in our country, then scientific and technological activity must and can, be planned and deliberately directed towards the fulfilment of national goals...for the first time in this country a Science and Technology Plan is being prepared by the NCST...1 Thus, at the very outset he preempts the question why the contribution of science and technology towards India's economic growth has been so negligible. Even the impact of imported technology on the overall economy of the nation is insignificant. The direct and indirect costs (due to deferred development in national science and technology), are heavy and should be counted. Almost all the major units in our organized industry are based on foreign technical collaboration, know-how and machinery. There are a number of ways in which we are forced to pay for foreign collaboration such as collaboration fees, royalty, overpricing of tied-up machinery, spare