Scientists associated with the Society of Young Scientists (SYS) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, have expressed their concerns over the administration's proposal to restrict the tenure of employment for researchers working on various projects or pursuing PhD at the institute.
With over 1,100 scientists voicing their opposition to the proposed regulations, the SYS members have taken a peaceful stand against the new rules. They conducted a silent protest march on Tuesday and have indicated their intention to escalate the agitation if their demands are not addressed.
In a letter addressed to the director of AIIMS, Delhi, SYS raised objections to the proposed guidelines, particularly the provision that limits researchers to working on only two projects. The scientists argue that such restrictions are an attempt by the administration to phase out research employees engaged in multiple projects.
Calling it a "horrifically unpropitious" to prevent the researchers who have decided to devote years of their professional life not only to the scientific domain but to this specific institution, thereby promoting AIIMS-New Delhi on a global platform, from continuing their research at the institution, they said merely because the policymakers feel it is time to introduce new rules that make pursuing a career in science in this country even more taxing than it already is.
"It has been brought to our notice that a rule limiting the maximum number of consecutive projects any individual may join at AIIMS-New Delhi may be introduced within the next few days. With due respect, we find it imperative to convey to you that such a decision will not be positively received not only by the researchers of this institution," the letter read. "It is unprecedented and unjust to prohibit any candidate from applying to a post they are eligible for, as per the norms set by the Government of India for the said post in any institution, including AIIMS-New Delhi, regardless of how many past projects they may have been employed in," the letter read.
Lastly, "we find it imperative to speak for the non-research project staff for whom there is rarely any opportunity to apply for higher posts since they are limited by their eligibility criteria (educational requirements), as opposed to the candidates applying for scientific posts, who automatically become eligible for higher posts with increasing work experience", it added.
The SYS also demanded that one of its representatives be included in the major meetings before passing the final rules or policies in this regard.