No response from DST on hike in fellowship, research scholars demand action

NEW DELHI: All India Research Scholars Associations (AIRSA) has written to Srivari Chandrasekhar, director of science and technology (DST) seeking an increase in fellowship, medical facilities and better research infrastructure for the country’s young scholars. However, they have received no response to the August 29 letter.

In their letter, AIRSA demanded a host of measures that would help young researchers contribute to the development and scientific progress of the nation. The sought an increase in fellowship and revision of grant amounts every four years; regular and timely disbursal of fellowship amounts; development of proper infrastructure and policy for research in India; and medical facilities for research scholars.

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"Since the research scholars are the backbone of the scientific growth of the country, they are unable to concentrate on the research due to day-out inflation and increasing living costs annually,” the letter to DST states. They are yet to hear from the DST. Their letter comes right after a prolonged protest against fee hike by MTech students at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and along with fresh protest at IIT Delhi.

The copy of the letter was also sent to, Jitendra Singh, minister of state, department of space and department of atomic energy; principal scientific adviser Ajay Kumar Sood; Nirmala Sitharaman, minister of finance; Dharmendra Pradhan, education minister; University Grant Commission (UGC); Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); department of biotechnology; and Indian Council of Medical Research.