NEW DELHI, SEPT 21: The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) here, set up 13 years ago to take the benefits of biotechnology to developing member countries, is in the thick of a controversy following allegations of nepotism, mismanagement and sexual harassment.Added to this, it is facing a serious accusation from P K Panda, senior professor of pathology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), that the centre cheated him by excluding his name from a commercial deal and violated an agreement he had signed with it.Although Virendra Singh Chauhan, head of ICGEB's New Delhi branch (the other branch is in Trieste, Italy) dismisses the allegations as part of "wrong and mischievous" propaganda, the ICGEB board of governors meeting on November 13 is expected to discuss these problems affecting the research climate at the centre.Chauhan became head of the unit two years ago on the recommendation of Manju Sharma, secretary to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). The DBT is providing Rs 50 million annually to the unit as India's contribution.What is viewed as "a case of blatant nepotism" is the appointment this month of the son of the DBT secretary as post-doctoral fellow on international salary - a position strictly meant for non-Indians and reserved for scientists for other member countries."Many of us have been denied promotion to international grade due to budget cut," a senior scientist burst out. "How did Chauhan find tax-free dollars for the secretary's son?" he asked. Chauhan, in an interview, said the selection was made by a committee in Italy and not by him.The Delhi unit was in the news early this year with reports of deteriorating work atmosphere, one reason for as many as 17 scientists quitting the centre in last two years. Recent events suggest that discontent among the staff persists and the situation has become worse.Last month Vikas Dwivedi, head of purchase division for 12 years, filed a case against ICGEB in a Delhi court alleging that Chauhan sacked him to accommodate his relative. But Chauhan has denied this charge.In another event, Honey Reddi, a woman scientist has threatened to sue ICGEB authorities for barring her entry into the laboratory because she talked to the press about the "mental harassment I am being subjected to for one-and-half years."Chauhan compounded the controversy by appointing as his adviser, a high salaried post, a person whose name figures among corrupt officials blacklisted by Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Chauhan, however, admitted that the appointment was an oversight."The root cause of all our problems is arbitrariness," said one scientist who spoke on condition of anonymity. "There are no laid out rules. Promotions and merits are driven more by favoritism than scientific contributions."Chauhan admitted in the interview that the center lacked a promotional policy and a rewarding system and hoped to correct this anomaly soon.
