Brief on CSIR Transformation and proposed Restructuring of the Common Cadre

Govt can frame guidelines for DPCs: CAT

New Delhi, Oct 28 (PTI) The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has held that government can frame guidelines for departmental promotion committees (DPCs) and judiciary will not question its validity so long as it provides level playing field for all candidates.

"The government has a right to frame the guidelines for the DPCs and there cannot be any judicial interference in such case, unless the same are perverse or are drafted to favour a class of candidates," CAT Vice Chairman L K Joshi and Member Meera Chhibber said.

The tribunal passed the order on a plea of a Delhi police sub-inspector, challenging the promotions made on the basis of 2008 circular which issued guidelines for the DPC to promote eligible police personnel.

The sub-inspector, Ram Niwas, contended that DPC should have followed 2005 guidelines for promotions and not the 2008 guidelines which was issued after creation of vacancies.

Withdrawal of cases from prosecution under Section 321 of Cr.P.C., 1973-reg

Use of own car/hired taxi on LTC journey on account of physical handicap

CSIR Instruction on registring in NAUTICALdb

Ethics & Governance – A Perspective

vcrktalk

Swamy clarification on upgradation of 5500-175-9000 scale

CSIR ERP Finance & Accounts Module (including eFinance, eAccounts, ePayments, eReceipts, and eRecords Management & Automation of all processes)

Open publication - Free publishing - More finance

Revision in rate of DA in pre-revised scale(5th pay commission)

CSIR Celebrates its Foundation Day

The challenge before science today is to make significant improvement in the life of “Aam Aadmi”. Shri Prithviraj Chavan, Union Science and Technology minister, speaking on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day said today here at Vigyan Bhawan. He congratulated CSIR for the important achievements made in the field of Science and Technology and Research and Development. The minister also greeted various awards winners in different discipline in the field of Science and Technology. He stressed the need to convert our Research and Development units into innovation creating institutes. Recalling Pandit Nehru’s commitment to scientific development, he said that Pandit Nehru believed that “It is science alone that can solve the problems of hunger and poverty....”. The same approach was continued during Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi’s regime. Shri Chavan lauded the support extended by present Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to scientific development in the country. Shri Chavan added that because of our robust and appropriate economic policy being followed since 1991, we could withstand the pressure of global melt down and sustain our growth rate. Shri Chavan applauded the efforts of CSIR in the field of scientific research and development in general and encouraging innovative programme of giving scholarship to students of 10^th and 12^th standard and further funding their research work till the age of 32 years in particular. He called upon CSIR to help developing Scientific Temper among our citizens.

            Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) delivered CSIR Foundation Day lecture. He enlightened the audience about the importance of Unique Identification Number to be given to each Indian, the mammoth task he is presently handling. Under this UID Number, there will be basis demographic and biometric information about an individual. There will be no duplication as it will be a centralised database on biometric basis. The most unique feature of this number will be online authentication of Identity of an individual on cell phone network. Though this UID will not confer any right on a citizen still it would enhance power of Identity, access to services, direct benefit to poor. With the introduction of UID the implementation of flagship scheme would be fool proof and chances of fraud would be reduced to minimum. Shri Nilekani further inform that new UID would combine data basis of multiple agencies of food and supply departments, panchayat, gas agencies, education institutions, LIC, passport office etc. Enrolment under UID would be valid for lifetime identification. He also threw light on various challenges to be faced by UID project which included technological challenges, architecture challenges, network infrastructure related and demographic challenges. He expressed hope that CSIR would help UIDAI building a basic framework for this project by giving the benefits of various technological advancement and innovations in research and development work.

            On this occasion names of eleven scientists selected for 2009 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Science and Technology were also announced. Shri Prithviraj Chavan gave away CSIR Young Scientist Award 2009, CSIR Technology Awards 2009 and CSIR Diamond Jubilee Invention Award for School Children 2008. Under the category of CSIR Young Scientist Award for the year 2009 six young scientists were awarded in five disciplines namely Dr Fayaz Ahmad Malik, Department of Pharmacology, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu in Biological Sciences, Dr. Srihari Pabbaraja, Organic Division I, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad in Chemical Sciences, Dr. Balaraman Madhan, Centre for Human & Organizational Resources Development, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai in Engineering Sciences, Dr K V Ramesh, CSIR Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Computer Simulation (C-MMACS) Bangalore and Dr. Nimisha Vedanti, Fractals in Geophysics Group, National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad in Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean & Planetary Sciences, Dr. Debi Prasad Das, Process Engineering and Instrumentation Cell, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, in Physical Sciences.

 CSIR Technology Award 2009 in the category of Physical Sciences including Engineering was given to Team IIP at Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun and CSIR Technology Award 2009 for Innovation to Team CDRI at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. Each Award carries a cash prize of Rs.2 lakh, a plaque and a citation.

Under the category of CSIR Diamond Jubilee Invention Award for School Children 2008, Second prize (Rs.25000/-) to Miss Neha Lalit Sharma, Class 11^th (Mumbai), Third prize (Rs.15000/-) to Master Harjas Singh Sodhi, Class 8^th (New Delhi) and Fifth prize (Rs.5000/- each) to Master Shikhar Bhandari, Class 12^th (New Delhi), Master Vishakh Hegde, Class 11^th (Bangalore), Master V Pranav, Class 9^th (Mysore) were given. No first prize was given this year.

Revised Charter on Financial Adviser

The other details can be found here

Extension of benefits to PSU absorbee

1st Conference on SYSTEMS & MANAGMENT INNOVATION FOR R&D-NISCAIR

Release of additional instalment of dearness allowance to Central Government employees and dearness relief to Pensioners, due from 1.7.2009

The Cabinet has decided to release an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.7.2009 representing an increase of 5% over the existing rate of 22% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 6th Central Pay Commission.

LTC cliam restricted to economy class w.e.f 09/07/2009

India Innovation Pioneers Challenge 2009-Dr. Sudipta Saha, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and Intel have partnered on building technology entrepreneurship programs in India. The objectives of the program are to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in India, boost entrepreneurial spirit in Indian academia and scientific enterprises through business plan competitions, and to build a curriculum on technology entrepreneurship for Indian academia.

India Innovation Pioneers Challenge 2009 is an innovative technology business plan competition that provides an unparalleled avenue of opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs to explore and share ideas and gain insight for commercializing their venture through the mentoring and networking support that are integral to the competition.

India Innovation Pioneers Challenge 2009 has taken the definition of a "Business Plan Competition" to a level higher than ever before as it offers an unlimited opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to plan for commercialization of their venture.

It provides young innovators with:

A platform to showcase technology

Smart commercialization strategies

Guidance from experts and mentors

Excellent funding opportunities

Global business opportunities

International experience of a lifetime

Winners of Scholar Sparks 2009

The winners of India Innovation Pioneers Challenge 2009 were announced by Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, at a ceremony held at Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi on the 28th of August 2009 in the presence of Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and Dr. Praveen Vishakantaiah, President, Intel Technology, India.

The top three teams under Scholar Sparks category received cash award of Rs Three lakhs (First prize), Rs. One lakh (Second prize) and Rs. Fifty thousand (Third prize) respectively. Besides this, two teams recognized as “Honorable Mentions” from the jury received a cash award of Rs. Twenty five thousand each
Also the top two teams from the Scholar Sparks category will be representing India at the Intel-University of California, Berkeley Technology Entrepreneurship Challenge 2009.

Awardees Details:

First Prize:Rs 3 lakhs cash award
Also an opportunity to participate at the Intel-University of California, Berkeley
Technology Entrepreneurship Challenge 2009
Team Name: Intraosseous Device
Team Members & Institute:Jayant Sitaram Karve & Srinivas Kiran Jaggu; Stanford
India Biodesign Centre, (AIIMS) New Delhi

Business Plan Description:
IntraOz is a novel medical device start up which aims to provide an alternative to difficult intravenous (IV) access in medical emergencies. This technology comprises of applying progressive vacuum at needle tip as it progresses inside the marrow and gives visual indication. Fluids and medications infused via IO lines reach the central circulation in equivalent speed of intravenous infusion. The market potential for IntraOz will be an estimated 1.3 million patients (including pediatrics & adults) annually.

Second Prize:Rs. 1 lakh cash award
Also an opportunity to participate at the Intel-University of California Berkeley
Technology Entrepreneurship Challenge 2009
Team Name: µSpore
Team Members & Institute:Prabhakar Kulkarni, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune

Business Plan Description:
µSpore is a novel patented technology for long term storage and transportation of DNA samples using microcapsules isolated from spores and pollen grains, which are in the form of micronic or sub-micronic capsules. The application areas for the technology cover forensic science, health care, pharmaceuticals, medicine, military and basic research. The technology is cheaper, eco-friendly & easy-to-handle and will be accessible and affordable to users even from economically underprivileged nations.

Third Prize: Rs. Fifty Thousand cash award
Team Name: Indigenous Dental Implants
Team Members & Institute: Dr. Manjeet Mapara & S.M. Abdul Khader; Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Institute of Technology

Business Plan Description:
Indigenous Dental Implants is a project that attempts to make a new biotechnology accessible to the general Indian population and also to enhance the surgical skills of Indian dentists in the field of Implantology. The technology involves a special laser treated bioactive surface for the dental implant which is superior & cheaper compared to all the contemporary implants in the market. The product aims at attracting a huge market comprising of upper middle class & middle class population in India with the cost advantage.

Honorable Mentions:
Team Name: Innovation Challenger Kolkata
Team Members & Institute:Dr. Sudipta Saha, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology,
Prize:Rs. 25000 cash award

Business Plan Description:
This project deals with a unique computer-based spectrophotometric system to determine "vertical velocity" of the spermatozoa. It has been developed using the turbidimetric method of sperm motility analysis. This technology will be extremely helpful for treatment of human infertility and planning of animal breeding programmes. The potential market will comprise of various human infertility clinics, sperm banks, animal breeding centers, research laboratories and centers for conservation of endangered species, etc

Team Name: The Mavericks
Team Members & Institute:Nakul Khanna & Abhinav Bansal, G.D. Goenka Public School, Delhi
Prize:Rs. 25000 cash award

Business Plan Description:
This team has developed a Massaging Shoe. The idea is to provide solutions for people suffering from daily stress by incorporating massaging devices in their shoes. These devices are small enough to fit into an ordinary shoe and are powered by rechargeable batteries so that they can be used on the go and doesn’t require one to carry around bulky massaging devices. Along with its massaging effect it also has a therapeutic effect; hence it will be a boon to those suffering from lifestyle disease such as diabetic feet, etc.

E-governance drive gets a babu beating

Ashish Sinha

New Delhi, July 27, 2009

An ambitious government plan to revolutionise the trundling pen-pushing procedures of the Indian bureaucracy, by aligning it with an e-enabled computerfriendly regime, is facing opposition from within. The "Central Secretariat Manual of e-Office Procedure", the first draft of which was circulated recently by the department of administrative reforms and public grievances (DARPG), is aimed at bringing higher efficiency, transparency and accountability among government officials. However, computer- unfriendly Indian officials wary of e-enabled changes in the working environment are opposing the move citing concerns over privacy, legality and lack of computer training. The existing manual on office procedure lays down in great detail how a central government office should function, right from the point at which a file is created till a decision is taken at the highest echelons of the government. Now, in line with the government"s thrust on e-governance, the DARPG"s new "electronic" version of the draft manual incorporates changes in the system so that a "modern office environment" can be created. Steps have been taken to improve the core spirit of the previous manual by "incorporating procedures to support electronic environment and introducing transformational opportunities after due deliberation," reads the objective of the draft, prepared by National Institute of Smart Government (NISG), Hyderabad, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The draft makes far- reaching proposals. It suggests that chatting on the Net between on an issue can be a time-saving way of arriving at a decision and should be recognised as a means of "official communication". It also says that an exchange of SMSes between officers after sending a file from one office to another over the electronic system should be recognised as a way of acknowledging that the communication has been duly dispatched and received. But the seemingly radical move"though similar steps are already a commonplace in Indian businesses"involves computer literacy. The bureaucracy"s well-known resistance to change and "fear" of the digital world are key factors that are acting as roadblocks in the way of introducing the e-enabled system. Privately, senior government officials are candid about their reasons for resisting the new move. "I am not ready to look at a computer screen from 9 am to 5 pm every day. There are the issues of eyesight and legality. How do you sign a file? How do you incorporate changes? At present, several drafts are made and discarded. I do not understand how you can do that on a computer," said a senior bureaucrat speaking on the condition of anonymity. A joint secretary in the government said, "I have gone through it (the "Central Secretariat Manual of e-Office Procedure"). It reads like a dream manual. Even if partially adopted, it will not only save time but bring about accountability, efficiency and transparency. But, to suddenly change the way we have been working is a huge challenge." Another official said "the most difficult part" for the bureaucracy, which is comfortable with the paper filing system, is to learn computer and Internet usage. Aware that officials would oppose the draft manual of e-office procedure, the government has said it will do what it takes to support the changeover to e-governance. It is ready, for instance, to provide as many computers as an office needs. Under the rules, government departments are expected to spend 5 per cent of their budget on information technology, including the purchase of computers and allied systems. The e-manual draft document takes pains to address other concerns raised by the bureaucrats from the "old school". It says how a file should be created and moved. The originating department should send the file in a digital format to another department. The receiving office should then create a "shadow e-file" at its end and this document would then be moved to different sections and officers for their opinions. Before the document is sent back to the originating department, only the final result of this process would be recorded on the e-file by the officer concerned. Assigning an e-number to the file so that it becomes an instantly retrievable record is the task of the "Dak" section. "The department will open subject-wise e-files each year in which such routine notes will be kept. The inter-departmental note recorded on the e-file of the originating department will bear the subject e-file number to facilitate storage and retrieval for future reference," says the document. Since government departments already have a huge volume of existing physical records, the manual proposes that when a department switches over to the e-office system, the existing physical files will have to be scanned and digitised. It proposes that while all current/live files may be scanned and digitised, semi-current/nonlive files can be preserved only on a need basis. "All closed physical files which contain decisions of longer lasting value from the angle of running the department may also be scanned/ digitised. All important treaties/agreements etc may also be scanned digitised," it says. Some of this language may be obscure for government officials and could make the move to the new modern system more difficult than it appears. To begin with, government officials are under no obligation to dump the existing filing system. Some government departments, however, had adopted egovernance earlier. These are departments that have a direct interface with the public--like issuing various types of licences, collecting taxes, issuing passports, public grievance registries, those responsible for land record management and ticketing systems. Yet, age-old habits of officials in most departments have acted to discourage the shift to an e-enabled environment. "I know some secretary-level officers whose personal assistants place printouts of emails on their tables every morning. To make the manual successful, it has to be made mandatory in a time-bound manner. Computers must not be used as stylish typewriters," said a senior officer posted at Planning Commission. Courtesy: Mail Today

Huge response to DoPT On-line Course on RTI (PIB)

The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Online Certificate Course on RTI began today on a pilot project basis. The 15-day course started on a Pilot Project basis is being taken by various stakeholders on, both, the demand and supply sides of the RTI implementation regime. This Course on RTI is in association with the Centre for Good Governance, Hyderabad. The first batch has 60 candidates. The response to the course was overwhelming with 1452 applications. Those other than in the Pilot batch will be covered in subsequent batches.

The Online Certificate Course is aimed at:

>> Public Information Officers (PIOs)
>> Assistant Public Information Officers (APIOs)
>> Appellate Authorities
>> Officials assisting the above designated officers or other public officials
>> Citizens
>> Representative of Civil Society Organisations (including Media Organisations)
>> Any other person(s) who could be a direct/indirect stakeholder

The objectives of the Course are:

>> Reaching out to those who have not had an opportunity to participate in any training/sensitization initiatives on RTI Act, 2005
>> Bringing greater clarity on RTI among designated implementing officials like APIOs/ PIOs/ FAOs
>> Ensuring appreciation for RTI Act, 2005 and its mandate among the officials designated under it and also among the citizens
>> Facilitating timely delivery of information by PIOs
>> Having better informed citizens, civil society and other stakeholders

The outcomes expected from this initiative are:

>> A sound knowledge of the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005 among the people taking this course
>> Good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of organizations/ persons concerned with implementing the law and with enforcing the rights under this law
>> Proper appreciation of rights/obligations as applicable for effective use of RTI
>> Reliable guidance on following the right process/procedure to implement the provisions of this Act and to benefit from this Act.
>> Good understanding of remedies available when an implementing organization fails to comply with this Act.

Expenditure Management - Economy Measures and Rationalization of Expenditure 2009

Rivision in rate of honorarium to Inquiry officers/Presenting Officers w.e.f 27/07/2009