Prakash refuses to head CSIR on health grounds

Mysore, Jan 2 (UNI) Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Director Dr Vishweshwariah Prakash has declined to accept the prestigious post of Director General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on health grounds.

Dr Prakash, who was set to take over from Dr R A Mashelkar yesterday, did not assume charge as expected.

Speaking to UNI over phone, Dr Prakash, who left for Bangalore for a health check up, said his decision not to take charge was purely a personal one owing to health reasons. ''I suffered a setback in my health, resulting in a significant loss of body weight over the past 15 days. I have planned to get a thorough medical check up in Bangalore and seek medical attention, which may take about two months.'' Stating that he continued in his present position as CFTRI Director, he said he looked forward to resuming duty in that post after he recovered.

Sources at CFTRI said Dr Prakash was to be deemed as holding the post until his assuming charge as Director General of CSIR.

It may be recalled here that the appointment of Dr Prakash as CSIR Director General was announced on November 29 after the appointment committee obtained Cabinet clearance. This is not the first time that an eminent scientist had declined the high post as Dr K K G Menon, the then Director of Hindustan Lever Research Centre, Bombay, declined the post when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi extended an invitation to him, again for personal reasons.

UNI