Rs 200 cr stem cell science institute gets Cabinet nod

New Delhi, Jul 24 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved the establishment of the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (SCSRM) at a cost of Rs 203.10 crore.

It will be an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and will help in developing policies relating to stem cell technologies, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters.

The Stem Centre (SSC) at Christian Medical College, Vellore, a DBT-funded project, will be integrated with the SCSRM on the expiry of the project period with due operational flexibility, he said.

The management of SCSRM will be the allowed to: -- Hire qualified manpower, not exceeding seven per cent of its sanctioned manpower, for recruiting exceptional overseas candidates or to compensate for sudden loss of leadership in challenging technical areas.

-- Offer one scale higher than a level of an available post to a candidate of exceptional merit by the Governing Board.

-- Appoint overseas Indian scientists as adjunct faculty.

-- Provide an outstanding performance allowance to 20 per cent of faculty and scientists with the approval of the Board.

-- Create extramural unit in hospitals and IITs to augment translation and have freedom to negotiate public-private partnership.

-- Allow scientists to open start as per the approved CSIR norms.

-- Raise endowments from private foundations for scientific purposes.

UNI YJ SB DS1400