S and T personnel shifting to Pvt. sector : Govt

New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) The government today said there had been sporadic cases of movement of scientists from government research institutions to private sector because of various reasons including better financial and career opportunities.

Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha, said from time to time, several measures were taken to encourage research scientists by providing various incentives.

He said the number of personnel trained in S and T had increased. However, the number of S and T trained manpower participating directly in R and D had stagnated.

This, he said, could be attributed to social pressures and lucrative opportunities available in other sectors.

The government would provide enhanced funding to S and T during the 11th Plan also, the Minister said adding that new programmes in thrust areas like nano-technology, setting up of centres of excellence for advanced materials research, translational research in area of bio-technology had also been initiated, the Minister said.

UNI