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Around 132 Scientists Left DRDO In 5 Years On Personal Grounds: MoS Defence

The minister said financial incentives have been increased to arrest brain drain and make the career of scientists in DRDO more lucrative.

A total 132 scientists left the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the past five years on personal grounds, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Shripad Naik, Minister of State for Defence, said in 2015, 37 scientists quit the organisation, followed by 38 in 2016, 22 in 2017, 17 in 2018 and 18 in 2019.

These figures are from the years between 2014 and 2019. The rate of the exodus was highest between 2015 and 2016, when 38 scientists left the organisation in just one year time. The number of brain drain stood at 37, between 2014 and 2015. However, it slowed down during later years.

The numbers saw a gradual decrease as 22 of the scientists left DRDO in 2017, 17 in 2018 and 18 in 2019.

The minister said financial incentives have been increased to arrest brain drain and make the career of scientists in DRDO more lucrative.

Scientists with grade 'B' to 'D' are granted Rs 22,500 per annum as professional update allowance. Scientists 'E' & 'F' are given Rs 45,000 per annum, while grade 'G' and above get Rs 67,500 per annum professional update allowance, he said.

The minister said DRDO follows Merit based Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) for Defence Research Development Services (DRDS) cadre, where promotions are based purely on merit without any linkage to availability of vacancies or seniority.

The merit is assessed by the duly constituted Assessment Board for the purpose, he added.

The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has conventional parity with Departments of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Space.

DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). DRDO was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories. Over the years, it has grown multi-directionally in terms of the variety of subject disciplines, number of laboratories, achievements and stature.

(ANI)

Steps being taken by DRDO to stop the brain drain

Meantime, DRDO has began taking steps to control the number of scientists leaving the defence research organisation. From financial assistance to special pay:

Professional Update Allowance: Scientist ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ are granted Rs 22,500 per annum, Scientists ‘E’ & ‘F’ Rs 45,000 per annum and Scientists ‘G’ and above Rs 67,500 per annum as Professional Update Allowance.

Additional Increments: There was a provision of two additional increments for the Scientists C, D, E & F at Level 11, 12, 13 & 13A respectively in the Pay Matrix in 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) terms. However, as of now, the same has been stopped by PCDA. A case has been taken up by this HQ with CGDA to resume the payment of two additional increments.

Variable Increments: Up to six increments are granted to deserving Scientists at the time of promotion under Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) based promotion scheme on the basis of the performance of the Scientists in Assessment Board.

Special Pay: A special pay of Rs 2000 (5th CPC)/Rs 4000 (6th CPC) was granted to Scientists ‘G’ in lieu of higher pay scale through Cabinet sanction. The grant of special pay has been discontinued in 7th CPC as part of list of allowances recommended for abolition.

Career growth related incentives by DRDO

The minister of state told parliament that the apex defence research body follows the Merit-based Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) for Defence Research Development Services (DRDS) Cadre, where promotions are based purely on merit without any linkage to availability of vacancies or seniority. The merit is assessed by the duly constituted Assessment Board for the purpose. Under the FCS, Scientist recruited at the level of Sc ‘B’ in the feeder grade of Gp ‘A’ can move up to the level of scientist ‘H’ in Level 15 Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) scale and thereafter, the level of Distinguished Scientist in the Level 16 (HAG + scale), which is achievable on personal up-gradation basis.

DRDO has conventional parity with Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) & Department of Space (DOS). The Incentives up to 06 Variable increments to Scientists, Professional Update Allowance are applicable to all the three organizations and derive their authority from the common letters issued by Ministry of Finance for three strategic departments.

DRDO has been requesting for PRIS (O)-Organizational (20 per cent) and PRIS (G)-Group (10 per cent) two components of Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) available to other strategic scientific organizations namely DAE and DOS, but not to DRDO.



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