Date:05/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090553461500.htm

National

Fellowships to scientists for biomedical research

Special Correspondent

Cabinet nod for a joint initiative

Special purpose vehicle to implement programme
It is likely to be launched in a week

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave the green signal for the launch of a major initiative by the Science and Technology Ministry and the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust to offer fellowships to 700 scientists working in the high-end areas of biomedical research.

The fellowships, costing Rs. 1,296 crore (£160 million) and to be offered over the next 10 years, will be for three categories: early career fellows (fresh Ph.Ds), intermediate fellows (Ph.Ds with an experience of 5-6 years) and senior fellows (Ph.Ds with greater experience).

Early career fellows will get a salary of Rs. 4.2 lakh and a negotiable package of allowances up to Rs. 2,96,500 a year. Intermediate fellows: Rs. 6 lakh and Rs. 3.65 lakh. Senior fellows: Rs. 8.4 lakh and Rs. 4.43 lakh.

All the fellows will receive high-end medical insurance for them and their families.

The fellowship programme will be implemented by a special purpose vehicle to be operated as an independent public charitable trust, with two trustees — a foreigner nominated by the Wellcome Trust and an Indian representing the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Science and Technology Ministry.

A senior DBT official said 40 fellowships would be offered every year under the early career fellow category, 20 under the intermediate fellow category and 10 under the senior fellow category. The remuneration package would be open to revision depending on market conditions. The overall budget would, however, remain unchanged. The DBT and the Wellcome Trust would each contribute 50 per cent to the programme.

According to Ministry sources, the programme is likely to be launched in a week. “We have invited the Prime Minister to launch the programme. We are awaiting a response from his office.”

Delimitation modifications

The Cabinet also gave its nod for presidential orders notifying the effective date of implementation of the corrigenda and amendments issued by the Delimitation Commission on the final orders on delimitation of several constituencies in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat.

“The modifications are minor in nature. But they are being made to ensure that there is absolutely no discrepancy,” an official said.

Package for revival

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval for a package of measures for revival of the Ranchi-based Heavy Engineering Corporation.

It includes conversion of plan and non-plan loans as well as outstanding interest and penal interest into equity, restoration of the government guarantee to the earlier level without charging any guarantee fee and to allow the company to approach the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the High Court for waiver of capital gains tax.