AIIMS officers' association extends support to scientists protesting proposal to limit years for project

New Delhi: Following a recent guideline by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi which limited the number of years a scientist or research scholar can be employed in projects at the premier medical institute, the Officers' Association of the institute extended its support to the scientists who are currently protesting against the proposal. 

According to the Society of Young Scientists (SYS), the proposed guidelines cap the number of projects a researcher can take up to three, which they allege is expected to lead to the immediate termination of around 1,400 employees, including researchers and technical staff employed in various projects at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

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"In reference to the letter received by the Society of Young Scientists in context of the proposed revisions regarding project staff recruitment guidelines, we support them in their stand against the dismissal of contractual research project staff on a short notice," the Officers' Association of the AIIMS said in a statement. The Officers' Association of the AIIMS are employees associated with the administrative work of AIIMS. 

It also urged the AIIMS administration to revisit the guidelines, proposed the revocation of the current memorandum of the research section to hold recruitment until then and suggested that the new guidelines should be implemented prospectively (for new employees only).

Meanwhile, the contractual research project staff should be allowed to continue until the new guidelines are framed, the association said.

In a letter to the AIIMS director, the SYS said it is "horrifically unpropitious" to prevent the researchers who have decided to devote years of their professional life not only to the scientific domain but also to the institution, thereby promoting AIIMS-Delhi on a global platform, from continuing their research at the institution merely because the policymakers feel that it is time to introduce new rules that make pursuing a career in science in this country even more taxing than it already is.

The scientists, who have been peacefully opposing the proposed rules, plan to intensify the agitation if their demands are not met. A silent protest was carried out by them on Tuesday. 

The letter noted, "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." 

"It is our firm belief that any guideline or proposal that prevents a qualified researcher from applying to a post they may be eligible for is a fundamental breach of hard-earned freedom. It is a direct challenge to the sanctity of the entire scientific community.

"At a time when talented researchers seek to settle abroad to advance their careers, we have chosen to selflessly devote the prime years of our professional careers not only to the advancement of science, but to promote our beloved nation on global platforms, despite facing grave mental and financial challenges rampant in the current research environment of the country," the SYS said in a statement. 

The letter stated, "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 current employment criteria at AIIMS, New Delhi allow such individuals to pursue a respectable career of their choice in the academic/scientific field, without which they will be practically forced to abandon any hopes of staying in this field without pursuing higher degrees." 

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. Till the time the new rules come into play, the institute has stalled new recruitments in research projects.

“The guidelines for recruitment/selection of project staff are under review. So the recruitment/selection process of research staff is put on hold or till further notice from the research section,” read an AIIMS memorandum issued on June 22.

“The flagrant disregard of research mandate of AIIMS by current administration is betrayal of Trinity of Mission of AIIMS established by its founding fathers.

“The SYS is scheduled to meet the Director, AIIMS today after the lapse of the seven days’ time sought by the administration. The SYS is likely to intensify its ongoing agitation in view of the continued denial of the AIIMS administration. “The step to put on hold all research recruitments till further notice is draconian and anti-research and anti-science,” an SYS member said. 

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