Delayed stipend payment troubles research fellows
Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com
Pune:28.06.2020
Junior and senior research fellows are unhappy with the inordinate delay in disbursement of stipends. The wait has stretched on for as long as four to 10 months for some of them. The delay may dissuade students from taking up research in future, they said.
At a time when research on Covid-19 has taken centre stage, students feel that if the government does not find a permanent solution to the delay in paying stipends, many good students will choose to get a job rather than get into research, especially those from the lower economic strata of society.
A senior research fellow said, “My stipend was delayed for almost 10 months. My family can support me but it’s not the same case with everyone else. Many research fellows come from poor backgrounds and remote villages. One student has quit as his family could not support him. There may have been other reasons too but not having money was a big factor.”
Students want a fixed date, when the stipend would reach them, and a contact person, who can provide information. “I support my younger sister’s education. I have to pay her fee and make arrangements for other expenses. I also have to pay the institute’s fees here along with the mess fee without delay. If the stipend gets delayed, all our financial planning takes a hit,” said a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research senior research fellow.
Another senior fellow spoke about how the delay will discourage good students from taking up research. “One can always learn coding and join an MNC rather than opt for research. If I spend five years at any MNC, I could earn double what Iam earning now. We do this because we love it but the government needs to support students so that there is good quality research in the country. The race for the Covid-19 vaccine has shown the world the importance of scientists. We should not lag behind,” said a senior fellow from the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.
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