50% hike in the
fellowship amount for young Research scientists
Dr. Jitendra Singh
announces hike in fellowship amount to Research Scientists
The 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 announced over 50% hike in the fellowship amount received by
various categories of young Research scientists, here today. This land mark
decision, responding to a long standing demand by around one lakh science
Research Scholars and Associates working across the country, is taken by the
Department of Science & Technology under his Ministry, the Minister added.
Addressing a press
conference, 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 the categories of Research Scholars as per the Central
Government norms or the norms of host institutions which ever 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. In addition,
maternity leave for women 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 back, the Research scholars had approached him with this demand, in
response to which he had assured them that it is genuine and, being himself
from the scientific fraternity, he could very well understand that a hike was
richly deserved by Research Scholars and the Research Associates 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 Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley for having accepted the
demand put up by his Ministry. Each Ministry and agency can now use the
guidelines to make requisite changes over 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 Science
& Technology Secretary 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.
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