Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 21: In a landmark decision in response to a long standing demand by around one lakh science Research Scholars and Associates working across the country, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh today announced over 50 percent hike with immediate effect in the fellowship amount received by various categories of young Research scientists. This can be taken as a Deepawali gift from the Department of Science & Technology, the Minister said.
Addressing a press conference here today, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the fellowship amount for Research Associate-III had been hiked from Rs.24000 to Rs.46000, Research Associate-II from Rs.23000 to Rs.42000, Research Associate-I from Rs.22000 to Rs.38000, Senior Research Fellow from Rs.18000 to Rs.30000 and Junior Research Fellow from Rs.16000 to Rs.25000 per month respectively.
In addition, the House Rent Allowance (HRA) as well as the Medical benefits will continue to be available to all categories of Research Scholars as per the Central Government norms or the norms of host institutions whichever applicable. Entitlement for travel by AC-2 tier or AC-3 tier depending upon the category of Research Fellow / Research Associate will also be available. Maternity leave will also be available to all categories of Research Fellows.
Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that as soon as he took over as Minister for Science & Technology four months ago, the Research scholars had approached him with this demand, in response to which he had told them that being himself from the scientific fraternity, he could very well understand that a hike was richly deserved by them because it is these youngsters who devoted their entire time and energy to the growth of science in the country.
Soon after, he said, he held a series of meetings with the Secretary (S&T) and other Departments which was followed by inter-ministerial meetings with the Ministry of Finance for budgetary implications.
Dr Jitendra Singh thanked the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for having accepted the demand put up by his Ministry. Each Ministry and agency can now use these guidelines to make requisite changes in their specific fellowship programmes, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh further suggested that a hike in the fellowship amount should be undertaken periodically after due assessment and for this purpose he directed his Secretary,Science & Technology to put in place a proper mechanism.
In addition, Dr Jitendra Singh also issued directions to the Science & Technology Ministry to put in place a web-based fellowship assessment and disbursement mechanism so that delays in disbursement of fellowship amount could be avoided.
Also present at the press conference were Secretary,Science & Technology Secretary Prof. K Vijay Raghavan, Director General CSIR Dr P S Ahuja ,senior scientists and officers from the Department of Science & Technology.
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