Scientists sore at low pay, turn to PM for help

The Joint Action Council (JAC) of Scientists and Engineers’ Associations from Department of Space (DOS), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Defence Laboratories gathered recently to discuss restoration of pay scales. “Unless a separate Indian Atomic Energy Services (IAES), Indian space Services (ISS) and the Indian Defence Technology Services (IDTS) are created, there is little scope for effective utilisation of manpower recruited and trained specially for this high technology task force”, opines KBalachander, JAC chairperson.

In a letter to the PM, the JAC has said that due to economic sanctions imposed on India by developed countries, scientists and engineers have to struggle hard to achieve national goals without involving time and cost over run. There is a manifold increase in the need for indigenisation and it requires extraordinary effort on their part.

They have expressed concern on the exodus of trained and talented scientists and engineers from high-tech departments which was not in the larger interest of the country. Pointing out to the PM that the present pay scales did not attract the cream of Indian universities and institutions, they have suggested a basic scale of Rs 8,000-275-13,500 for Scientist/Engineer `B’ to culminate in Rs 30,000 for Chairpersons of Atomic Energy Commission, Indian Space Research Organisation and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

While scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and IITs are permitted to take upconsultancy, scientists at DAE, DOS and DRDO are not. The scientists say that a non-practising allowance at the rate of 25 per cent of total emoluments per month should be extended to them.

As scientists and engineers of DAE, DOS and DRDO are primarily engaged in R & D work which is more innovative than the design work encountered by engineering services, a profesional allowance should be applicable. As they also have to buy books and journals to meet their professional requirement, an equivalent of six months’ salary per year may be given as professional allowance.

Among other demands they have placed before the Prime Minister are transport allowance, leave travel concession, income tax exemptions and an increase in superannuation period from 60 to 65 years.

To be a scientist during the period of Homi Bhabha was considered great but not so now. The reason: “We now get Rs 500 more than a Higher Secondary School teacher”. With a peak earning of Rs 30,000 in these departments, there is little wonderthat the cream talent of IITs and other institutions now migrate to MNCs in India and abroad which pays more than Rs 15,000 for a beginner. The perks enjoyed in the private sector are enormous and at the top level, the earnings are more than Rs one lakh per month.

Balachandran says that more than 1,000 officers resigned in the last two years for `Greenback’ pastures. The reason they cite for constant downgrading was because they do not have scientists on the pay commission which has predominantly IAS officers. And now, very few students take up basic sciences for studying.

“We have never participated in strikes, demonstrations or go-slow tactics. But the Government should not mistake our silence for docile submission”, scientists warn. Their immediate need is an appointment with the Prime Minister to directly put forth their demands. Even that has not been coming for a long time, they lament.