A number of steps have been taken to provide better scientific environment to retain scientists in research centers and institutions of the country. This will help to stop the exodus of talent from the public sector to the private sector. Government is aware of a few cases of migration of scientists from research institutions of the country to private sector. The extent of migration in terms of number of scientists is insignificant and is due primarily to attractive pay packages and other socio-economic reasons.

The Plan Allocation of scientific departments has been enhanced significantly. Some of the enabling mechanisms put in place by the Government to check migration of scientists to the private sector include: sharing with scientists proceeds from sponsored projects, consultancy projects and premia and royalty received from the industry; mobility of scientists between national labs, academia and industry; 'knowledge alliance' with private industry to pursue product driven Research and Development and establishment of incubation centers to nurture start-up companies and enable chances of commercialization; investment of knowledgebase as equity in enterprises; and growth related incentives. 

Tata Innovation fellowships have been instituted for providing additional financial incentives to outstanding scientists. A Bill for Intellectual Property Management in public funded projects has been formulated to ensure that innovators share royalties from technology transfer and commercialization. In addition, the Government has also taken several steps to attract scientists from other sectors. A major programme in collaboration with WELCOME Trust, U.K. at a total cost of Rs.1300 crores shared equally with DBT has been launched to attract scientists from abroad in biomedical sciences, for joining Indian universities/institutions. The setting up of Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research (IISERs), Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB); institution of prestigious fellowships like Swarnajayanti Fellowship for outstanding young scientists, Ramanna Fellowship for performing scientists, Ramanujan and Ramalingaswami Fellowships to attract outstanding Indian scientists and engineers from all over the world to take up scientific research in our country, J.C Bose Fellowships to recognize and support active, performing Indian scientists and engineers are some of the schemes implemented in this direction. 

This information was given by the Union Minister for Science and Technology,Earth Sciences Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal in a written reply to a question by Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal in Lok Sabha today. 

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : February 24, 2011