Scientists too are stifled by babus!

(From The Statesman (India))

STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, May 31. - India's top scientists want freedom from red-tape and their requests for a better work environment is already with the Centre. On Technology Day, a few weeks ago, the scientific advisor to the defence minister, Dr VK Atre, made a similar request. He publicly requested Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to clear a list of requirements for defence scientists. The Scientific Advisory Committee had submitted a report to a Group of Ministers listing the ways their functional and research autonomy is being hindered by administrators. The report, titled "Organisational and Administrative Changes for Optimal Use of Scientific and Technological Resources", calls for a number of significant changes, ensuring more financial and structural advantages and less bureaucratic harassment. Some of the changes asked for seem small enough. One of the demands made is to allow scientific departments the power to sanction up to Rs 2 crore for collaboration and consultancy. There is a requirement for "flexibility in mission projects." Importantly, the paper called for a financial status independent of the Comptroller and Auditor general. "The statutory audit by the CAG needs to be tempered with proper scientific inputs," the report, sent sometime ago, said. An S&T audit board in the CAG could also be ...