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New Delhi : Altogether 132 scientists left DRDO during last five years on personal grounds including 18 in 2019, 17 in 2018, 22 in 2017, 38 in 2016, and 37 in 2015.
In order to arrest the brain drain and make the career of Scientists in DRDO more lucrative, the following incentives are given to Scientists in DRDO: Professional Update Allowance: Scientist ‘B’, ‘C’ & ‘D’ are granted Rs 22,500 p.a., Scientists ‘E’ & ‘F’ Rs 45,000 p.a, and Scientists ‘G’ and above Rs 67,500 p.a. as Professional Update Allowance; Additional Increments: There was a provision of two additional increments for the Scientists C, D, E & F at Level 11, 12, 13 & 13A respectively in the Pay Matrix in 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) terms. However, as of now the same have been stopped by PCDA. A case has been taken up by this HQs with CGDA to resume the payment of two additional increments.
Variable Increments: Up to six increments are granted to deserving Scientists at the time of promotion under Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) based promotion scheme on the basis of the performance of the Scientists in Assessment Board. Special Pay: A special pay of Rs 2000 (5th CPC)/Rs 4000 (6th CPC) was granted to Scientists ‘G’ in lieu of higher pay scale through Cabinet sanction. The grant of special pay has been discontinued in 7th CPC as part of list of allowances recommended for abolition.
Career Growth related incentives: DRDO follows the Merit based Flexible Complementing Scheme (FCS) for Defence Research Development Services (DRDS) Cadre, where promotions are based purely on merit without any linkage to availability of vacancies or seniority. The merit is assessed by the duly constituted Assessment Board for the purpose. Under the FCS, Scientist recruited at the level of Sc ‘B’ in the feeder grade of Gp ‘A’ can move up to the level of scientist ‘H’ in Level 15 Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) scale and thereafter, the level of Distinguished Scientist in the Level 16 (HAG + scale), which is achievable on personal up-gradation basis.
DRDO has conventional parity with Deptt. of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Deptt. of Space (DOS). The Incentives up to 06 Variable increments to Scientists, Professional Update Allowance are applicable to all the three organisations and derive their authority from the common letters issued by Ministry of Finance for three strategic departments.
DRDO has been requesting for PRIS (O)-Organizational (20%) and PRIS (G)-Group (10%) two components of Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) available to other strategic scientific organisations namely DAE and DOS, but not to DRDO. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik in a written reply to Vishnu Dayal Ram in Lok Sabha on March 11, 2020, according to a PIB release.