ICMR is a premier research institution involved with the promotion and co-coordination of research in various disciplines. In an attempt to strengthen research potential in the country and encourage young minds to work, it has been proposed to offer stronger and attractive incentives to Scientists.
This was stated by health minister A Ramadoss on Monday after receiving a report from K Kasturirangan, who headed the performance appraisal board constituted to review the working of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and recommend ways to rejuvenate medical research in India.To begin with, it has been strongly recommended to remove the freeze on recruitments so that the ICMR can recruit up to 500 scientists in the next five years. It has suggested reorganization of the management structure of the ICMR, and have a clearly enunciated human resource development policy. Furthermore, the board has expressed need for cutting administrative posts and converting them into scientific/technical posts.
The board has recommended doubling the ICMR's annual budget to atleast Rs 5,000 crore in the forthcoming plan. Promotional avenues should be available to all scientists up to level G and H, and provisions made to directly recruit eminent senior scientists into category G and H should be allowed, according to the board officials.
It has also strongly recommended the immediate creation of a Department of Medical Research within the ministry. Increasing the ICMR's capacity to develop project proposals based on economic and social analysis is also under consideration. The health ministry is very keen on establishing a facility for the manufacture of influenza vaccine and to improve production of anti-viral drugs to help combat diseases like avian bird flu.
