KOLKATA: Calcutta High Court has admitted a complaint by scientist Srimanta Kumar Raut against the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Human Resource Director General (HRDG) for not conferring upon him the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for 1992, in spite of his name being announced by the media.
While Justice Dipankar Datta has sought explanations from CSIR and HRDG by March 17, the development has brought out contradictory reactions from the Centre and University of Calcutta, where Raut was a reader in the department of zoology. While counsel for the central government told the court that CU had not provided necessary details about the scientist, those for the university wanted the matter dismissed as it dated back nearly 18 years.
The award named after the founder-director of CSIR is given every year for outstanding contributions in the field of science and technology. Raut is a life member of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and has been recognised for his research worldwide.
The scientist's counsel, Supradip Roy, told the court that Raut's name was announced as a winner by the media, including All India Radio and television channels, in October 1992. But on December 6, Raut came to know that he was not being given the award. Since then, the scientist has taken up the matter with CSIR, ministry of human resource development and CU but his grievance was not addressed. Raut also brought the matter to the notice of MPs but they were of little help. Finally, he moved court, contending that it was a clear violation of Article 14 that ensures citizens equality before law.
Raut claimed in his petition that he was awarded the Ashutosh Mukherji Prize in zoology in 1984. From 1985 to 2005, Raut got several diplomas, fellowships, associateships and other awards from various institutions.
Roy told the court that he had been told by CU that all formalities had been completed on its part and it was CSIR that should explain why Raut was not given the award.
CSIR rules state that the university would have to nominate names and give all details in a certain format for a scientist to be awarded. After lawyers for the Centre contended that the university had not done so, those for CU submitted that the matter should be dismissed.
While Justice Dipankar Datta has sought explanations from CSIR and HRDG by March 17, the development has brought out contradictory reactions from the Centre and University of Calcutta, where Raut was a reader in the department of zoology. While counsel for the central government told the court that CU had not provided necessary details about the scientist, those for the university wanted the matter dismissed as it dated back nearly 18 years.
The award named after the founder-director of CSIR is given every year for outstanding contributions in the field of science and technology. Raut is a life member of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and has been recognised for his research worldwide.
The scientist's counsel, Supradip Roy, told the court that Raut's name was announced as a winner by the media, including All India Radio and television channels, in October 1992. But on December 6, Raut came to know that he was not being given the award. Since then, the scientist has taken up the matter with CSIR, ministry of human resource development and CU but his grievance was not addressed. Raut also brought the matter to the notice of MPs but they were of little help. Finally, he moved court, contending that it was a clear violation of Article 14 that ensures citizens equality before law.
Raut claimed in his petition that he was awarded the Ashutosh Mukherji Prize in zoology in 1984. From 1985 to 2005, Raut got several diplomas, fellowships, associateships and other awards from various institutions.
Roy told the court that he had been told by CU that all formalities had been completed on its part and it was CSIR that should explain why Raut was not given the award.
CSIR rules state that the university would have to nominate names and give all details in a certain format for a scientist to be awarded. After lawyers for the Centre contended that the university had not done so, those for CU submitted that the matter should be dismissed.
Courtesy: Times of India
