SHILLONG: The scientists of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam observed a silent protest without hampering the routine work along with scientists of ICAR across the country on Thursday by wearing black badges for the implementation of revised pay and five working days in ICAR.
They gathered near the entrance of the institute before office hours and read out the resolution followed by handing over the same to the Director.
In a statement, the ICAR scientists said that Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are the major contributors in the saga of green, white, blue and now the rainbow revolution. They work incessantly under the rain and sun to serve the nation through ensuring food security and welfare of farming community in the backdrop of climate change and dwindling resources, insufficient manpower and research funding, the scientists said.
“ They deserve to get free working ambience without any administrative and bureaucratic hurdles, timely payment of salary and uniform working schedule in tune with the parallel national scientific organizations” the scientists said.
Most of the central government workforce of the nation including scientific organizations have been drawing their revised salary and emoluments as per the Seventh Pay Commission for more than a year. Though the recommendation of UGC pay review committee were accepted by the Government long back, ICAR scientists are yet to realize the benefits of the same.
The long standing demand of five working days per week, though enjoys majority of support of ICAR scientists and research managers, has been turned down in the ICAR governing body meeting, which clearly reflects the highest level of insensitivity towards genuine needs of scientific communities, they said, adding that the revised pay is being paid to all the staff of ICAR except scientists for the last one year.
