COAST expresses dissatisfaction over SCPC recommendations

Chennai, May 25 (UNI) Confederation of Atomic and Space Scientists and Technologists (COAST) has expressed dissatisfaction over the recommendations of Sixth Central Pay Commission (SCPC).

COAST, which met recently at Kalpakkam, to review the anomalies of SCPC recommendations, came out with certain important obervations.

The thrust towards science and technology was reflected in the earlier third and fourth pay commissions, but it took a backseat in the fifth and sixth pay commissions, it rued.

Expressing concern over the ''discrepant'' payscales, as compared to bureaucrats and teachers, coast feared that it could lead to an increased attrition, scientists under COAST opined that it would subsequently affect India's scientific programmes.

COAST President S Joseph Winston said scientists in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Space (DOS) had sought appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to air their grievances and seek his intervention to ''rectify'' the anomalies.

''The scientific community, toiling hard in offices, labs and workshops have been given a raw deal by the SCPC and not being treated on par with bureaucrats,'' he said.

Promotions as well as annual increment were quick and high for bureaucrats while it was not the case with scientists, who had to climb more steps compared to the former to reach similar payscales, he said.

''The poor package offered in the SCPC would not attract young scientists to these departments, which could result in brain drain.

Also, those who are unhappy with the pay package could migrate to the private sector, thereby giving the knowledge gained by them to a private multi-national corporation (MNC),'' Mr Winston said.

''The Commission has also recommended contractual appointments of engineers to these departments which could also affect country's programmes, as they would leave once their contract ends,'' he added.

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