Shillong, March 01: Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Scientists of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Govt. of India 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 viz., insufficient manpower and research funding. 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.
Most of the Central Govt. 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 Govt. 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. It is interesting to note that, revised pay is being paid to all the staff of ICAR except, Scientists for last one year.
Under this background, Scientists of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam observed a silent protest without hampering the routine work in conjunction with Scientists of ICAR across the country on 1st March, 2018 by wearing black badges to reinforce and bring to the nation’s attention their demands for implementation of revised pay and five working days in ICAR.They gathered near the Institute Entrance before the office hours and read out the resolution followed by handing over the same to the Director.
