The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the following proposals :
i) The establishment of “Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine” (SCSRM) as an autonomous institution of DBT with a total cost of Rs. 203.10 crore.
ii) The flexibility in the management function for :
a) hiring qualified manpower based on selection by a selection committee, not exceeding 7%, of its sanctioned manpower, for recruiting exceptional overseas candidates or to compensate for sudden loss of leadership in challenging technical areas;
b) offering one scale higher than a level of an available post to a candidate of exceptional merit by the Governing Board;
c) appoint overseas Indian scientists as adjunct faculty;
d) provide an outstanding performance allowance to 20% of faculty / scientists with the approval of the Governing Board;
e) create Extramural unit in hospitals and IITs to augment translation and have freedom to negotiate Public-Private Partnership;
f) for scientist to open start ups as per the approved CSIR norms; g) raise endowments from private foundations for scientific purposes.
iii) Integration of Stem Cell Centre (SCC) at Christian Medical College, Vellore now funded in project mode by the Department of Biotechnology with the SCSRM, on expiry of the project period, with due operational flexibility for SCC as recommended by the Expenditure Finance Committee. The decision for establishment of Institute will help in developing policies relating to stem cell technologies, identify needs, facilitate conseptualization and design of new technologies.
