All scientific delegations to foreign countries will now be led by eminent scientists and not by Ministers, the Centre said on Saturday. The landmark decision to appoint an eminent scientist as head of any scientific delegation to international/national destinations has been taken by Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh.
Singh, who arrived here on his maiden visit after assuming the charge of office, told BJP workers at party headquarters, “We have decided that a Minister or a bureaucrat will not go to any of the conferences in foreign countries as head of the delegation. A scientist will lead the delegation from now on for a much-logical interaction.”
He said if we allow scientists to lead the delegations they will get more opportunities to interact with scientific fraternity in the country and abroad. “This is actually going to be useful for the country. Our Government is keen on using science as an instrument for social transformation,” he maintained.
leading from the front, Singh himself set an example. “I will not be volunteering to lead a scientific delegation. That is part of self-discipline,” he said, adding only the scientists with original presentation will participate in such conferences. “My appetite for foreign travel is already over,” he added.The decision is aimed at motivating members of the scientific community to come forward and break the convention where only Ministers and senior bureaucrats were nominated as heads of the science delegations to foreign locations.
Giving a firsthand account of his recent experience in office, Singh said “There were two conferences taking place - one at Santiago and the other in Boston. It was told to me that a Minister will lead the delegation. But I told them that we will select those scientists who will have original presentation (to lead the delegation).” “On July 25, a delegation will go to (an international science conference) under eminent scientist Dr Raghavan (as head of the delegation),” he added.