Amendment to guidelines issued vide earlier OM with regard to utilization of LRF/ LHRF

वैज्ञानिक तथाऔद्योगिकअनुसंधान परिषद्     
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research     
अनुसंधान परियोजना योजना एवं व्यवसाय विकास निदेशालय     
Research Project Planning & Business Development Directorate     
2 रफी मार्ग, नईदिल्ली-११०००१     
2, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001     
 

No. 13/54/LRF/2018-RPPBDD

Date :- दिसंबर 18, 2019

Sub : Amendment to guidelines issued vide earlier OM with regard to utilization of LRF/ LHRF     
 

Sub : Laboratory Reserve Fund Scheme vide OM No. 1(11)/Accounts/2000-2001; dated. 4th September 2000 and OM No. 13/54/2004-RDPD; dated October, 1, 2004     
 

1. The Governing Body of CSIR in its 191 meeting held on April 26, 2019 recommended additional activities for support under Lab Reserve Fund/ Laboratory & Headquarter Reserve Fund (LRF/ LHRF). The inclusion of additional activities was vetted by the Ministry of Finance vide letter No. 9(7)/E.Coord-2016 dated July 17, 2019.
2. A Committee was constituted by DG, CSIR vide OM of even number dated August 21, 2019 to develop Guidelines/ SOPs for utilization of LRF/ LHRF.
3. The Committee proposed the amendments to earlier Guidelines (Para#4.1, 4.2 & 4.3) for additional activities approved for utilization of LRF/ LHRF by CSIR Laboratories as below:     
    

   1. Additional activities included for support under LRF/ LHRF

      
       

b. Guidelines & Procedure:

1.  
   1. Use of LRF/ LHRF funds will be as per applicable existing guidelines of Govt. of India (GoI) and CSIR for that purpose, such as those for procurement of equipment, consumables, manpower, consultancy, works & services;
   2. To ensure compliance with annual expenditure limits on the additional activities and their purposes, monitoring mechanism at CSIR HQ will be through a Committee consisting of Head RPPBDD, Head MD, Head ISTAD, FA CSIR/nominee, chaired by DG CSIR/nominee. The committee will also determine competitive funds release from HRF, monitor outputs from such funds, and maintain overall tracking of expenditure subject to annual limits via a dedicated portal;
   3. LRF utilization for activities indicated in para#3 a) will be determined at the lab level and reported to the monitoring portal for compliance. Where annual expenditure limits are in place for CSIR, a lab-level budget ceiling is fixed at either 2%, 3% or 4% of the total limit based on Group IV strength of less than 100, 100-200, and more than 200. For expenditure beyond this limit, labs would seek permission from the committee, which would be granted based on reasonability/benefit of proposal and the availability of funds within the cap;
   4. Authorization mechanisms from CSIR HQ would be applicable for lab expenditure beyond the ceiling from LRF (para#3 b.iii), or from HLRF/CIF. DG/CSIR would be the competent authority. Laboratory Directors would be delegated decision-making power for use of LR up to the ceiling limits provided, subject to consolidated quarterly reporting and case by case uploading to portal;
   5. Carryover to the subsequent year may be permitted at CSIR level, but not lab level, for any unutilized amount subject to caps;
   6. Delegation of power will be as per applicable guidelines. Relevant CSIR/GoI guidelines will be followed as in para#3 b.i;
   7. The time span of 3-6 months for bridging period between the projects for manpower charges should be strictly adhered to. All the expenditure on manpower charges during bridging period should be in project mode only;
   8. Guidelines issued by International S&T Affairs Directorate to be followed for foreign visits;
   9. All expenditures to be incurred as per CSIR Financial Rules;
   10. Permitted Budget heads for expenditure under the aforesaid activities will be as per guidelines issued vide above referred OMs.

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