In a 1st, science and tech mantri won't hold earth sciences charge

NEW DELHI: For the first time since its inception as a separate ministry in 2006, the ministry of earth sciences (MoES) will be headed by someone (Rijiju) who doesn't also hold charge of the ministry of science and technology. Jitendra Singh holds independent charge of the ministry of science and technology. MoES is the nodal ministry of the government's ambitious Deep Ocean Mission. IMD, a key institution, functions under MoES.
In a 1st, science & tech mantri won't hold earth sciences charge
For the first time since its inception as a separate ministry in 2006, the ministry of earth sciences will be headed by someone who doesn't also hold charge of the ministry of science and technology.
The MoES portfolio was assigned to Kiren Rijiju on Thursday while Jitendra Singh will continue to hold independent charge of the ministry of science and technology. Rijiju will take charge of his new ministry on Friday.
Besides Singh, the ministry under the Modi government was also held by Harsh Vardhan. Both Singh and Vardhan held charge of MoES along with the ministry of science and technology.
MoES is the nodal ministry of the government's ambitious Deep Ocean Mission to explore resources in the ocean and develop deep sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources. The ministry is mandated to provide services for weather, climate, ocean, hydrology, seismology and natural hazards. It is also meant for exploring and harnessing marine living and non-living resources in a sustainable manner and to explore the three critical parts of planet Earth.
These works were earlier done by the department of ocean development, which was created in July 1981 as part of the cabinet secretariat directly under the charge of the Prime Minister. Key institutions such as India Meteorological Department; Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune; and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Noida function under the MoES.