Council of Scientific & Industrial Research

(25) Sponsored Project

(25.1.1) Sub: Extension of service benefits to staff appointed in the various establishment under the CSIR - Decision thereon.

On the recommendation of the Finance sub-committee, the Governing Body of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at its meeting held on 22nd, March, 1958 decided that the staff employed by the CSIR in Research Committees, and in pilot plant, research projects, research centres. etc. located in the National Laboratories/Instts. and other CSIR establishment will be entitled to the same service benefits as are enjoyed by other temporary Council Servant in the CSIR/national Laboratories.
In accordance with this decision, the staff located in the Secretariat of the Council, the National Laboratories/Institute or the research centres declared to be CSIR establishments for this purpose, will be entitled to the normal benefits of leave, C.P.F., Medical attendance, privilege travel concession. cycle advance, etc. Subject to the fulfilment of the necessary conditions.
Any research centre located in an institution other than a National Laboratory/Institute need to declare as a CSIR establishment for this purpose by the competent Authority, if these service benefits are to be extended to all the staff in the centre.
These orders are not applicable to the staff employed in Non-CSIR, establishment whose salary is met under the scheme of grant-in-aid to outside institutions by the CSIR. These staff will continue to be governed by the existing practice.
The staff appointed in research scheme financed by other organisations, such as, the Indian Council of Medical Research, The Indian Council of Agriculture research, etc. and carried out in the National Laboratories/Institutes, will be governed by the terms and conditions of service of the sponsoring organisations.
These orders will come into force with effect from the 22nd March, 1958.

(CSIR Letter No: 5/12/58-P.C, dated: 23rd July, 1958.)

(25.1.2)At the last Director' Conference held at Central Fuel Research Institute, Jealgora a note on "Guidelines for sponsored schemes and projects" was considered (Vide item No.A-6 of the Agenda) and following recommendations were made:-

"It was generally agreed that the nature of projects undertaken vary from Laboratory to Laboratory and there was, therefore, a need for providing flexibility of approach in such matters and that no rigid rules should be laid down c, g.

All sponsored work should be undertaken. with the approval of the Executive Council;
A clear condition should be stipulated in the agreement with the sponsorer that in case the sponsorer does not use the process developed for commercial exploitation within a reasonable time - say two years - the Laboratory should have the option to offer it to any other interested party but in such a case some percentage of the royalties accruing from the process may be permitted to the original sponsorer which finances the project.
Requirements of small scale industries to be kept inview and service to them could be free unless substantial finances are involved;
Recruitment of staff specially for schemes to be kept at the barest minimum and a system of "short term appointment in such schemes to be evolved;
Regular staff of the Laboratory seconded for work of the scheme not to be given any additional payment;
The problem should be of such a nature that it relates to the work of the National Laboratory;

It was decided that in the context of this background Director ma prepare a small paper for a detailed discussion in the Conference".

(CSIR Letter No: 2117/66-CDN, dated 24th Jan., 68.)

(25.1.3) Sub.. Sponsored Research Projects.

A reference is invited to our D.O. Letter No.2117168-CDN dated 30.12.66 on the subject of sponsored research. As it was pointed out some projects are referred to the Headquarters for approval of the Director-General and other projects are placed before the Executive Councils. There appears to be some confusion in regard to the competent authority for the approval of the sponsored research projects in the Laboratories. As you might be aware the subject has also been discussed at the last Directors' Conference held at Jealgora in November, 1967. Till new rules are framed, the position as it stands today is as follows:

The Governing Body at its meeting held on 27th October, 1961 appointed a Sub-Committee to look into the matter and make recommendation. The sub-committee inter alia recommended in its report after a meeting held on March 16, 1963, as follows regarding fees and payments received by the Laboratories for carrying out special Investigations, preparation of project reports and general consultations:
According to the present rules, the Directors can sanction minor Projects which do not involve any financial commitment. All other research schemes/projects, design/engineering assignments which involve financial implications should be referred to the Director-General for his competent approval.
1. Service Conditions
  1. Unless specifically provided in the Agreement with the Sponsoring or financing body approved by the Director- General and notified accordingly, the staff employed for such schemes/projects shall not be treated as regular CSIR employees. They shall, however be given all service benefits and shall work under the terms and conditions as applicable to Temporary servants of the CSIR and shall be subject to Rules and Regulations and Bye-laws of the CSIR.
  2. 1. All categories of staff for these schemes/projects shall be recruited in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the Rules, Regulations and Bye-laws and orders of the CSIR "for recruitment of temporary employees of the CSIR of corresponding status borne on the regular establishment of the CSIR laboratories/Institutes;
    2. Emoluments of the staff engaged in such projects/schemes should conform to the salary scales obtaining in the CSIR.
  3. Appointments shall be purely on a temporary basis for the duration of the scheme or project. They shall have no claim for regular appointment in any of the CSIR establishments on the termination of the Scherhe/project. Where persons already in the temporary employment of the CSIR in its regular establishment accept posts under a scheme or a project their interests on their posts in the regular establishment will be safeguarded for purpose of seniority, confirmation or any other purpose in the regular establishment of the laboratories/institutes at the discretion of the CSIR.
  4. Persons on the regular establishments of the CSIR laboratories/Institutes shall not be entitled to any honorarium or extra payment in the event of their being detailed to supervise any scheme/project. The Competent Authority shall have full authority to detail them for work on the above schemes/projects without any extra payment. If, however, they hold a lien on a permanent post in the regular establishment they will be treated as on deputation to the scheme/project, their leave salary and Pension/C.P.F. contribution being regulated in terms of clause (vi) below.
  5. New recruits to the above schemes or projects shall not at present be entitled to any Contributory Provident Fund Benefits. (Note: The question, however, is under consideration and the decision when taken will be communicated);
  6. In respect of persons borne on a regular cadre in CSIR and detailed to work on or appointed against posts in such schemes/projects, leave salary and pension/CPF Contributions, shall be charged to the funds of the Scheme/Projects which shall be in accordance with the Rules of the CSIR.
  7. Posts in the schemes/projects will be ex-cadre but under the administrative control of the Director/Head of the Concerned Laboratory/Institute.
2. Other Guidelines:
  1. Funds for the schemes/projects shall be made available by the Sponsoring organisation in advance. All expenditure on the Scheme/Projects concerned should be met from its funds and no such expenditure shall be incurred by any laboratory/Institute of the CSIR out of its own funds. No part of the funds of the scheme/project, either directly or indirectly, shall be diverted to meet any expenditure which should ordinarily be met from the regular funds of the Laboratory/Institute.
  2. Overhead charges calculated at a certain percentage to be determined by the concerned Laboratory/Institute with the approval of its Executive Council should be charged to the funds of the Scheme/project in respect of common facilities to be afforded for the scheme/project and credited to the account of the Laboratory/Institute as a miscellaneous receipt. No extra payment shall be admissible to any member of the staff connected with any type of such common service;
  3. Separate accounts shall be maintained for the scheme/project on the same pattern as that of the regular accounts of the laboratory and the same will be subject to audit in similar manner;
  4. Purchase and maintenance procedures of stores and stock accounting of all equipment/stores purchases stock accounting of all equipment/stores purchases specifically for the scheme/project should conform to the Rules and Regulations of the CSIR.
  5. On the termination of the scheme/project, equipment/stores purchased specifically for such schemes/projects shall be the property of the CSIR unless otherwise specifically provided in the agreement of the sponsored scheme.
  6. Expenditure on T.A. etc., incurred by the members of the regular establishment detailed specifically for work relating to the scheme/project shall be re- imbursed to the Laboratory/Institute from the funds of the scheme/project;
  7. Patenting and application of results carried out under these schemes/projects have to be formulated by the concerned laboratory/Institute in consultation with the sponsoring organisation keeping in view the interest of the Laboratory/Institute concerned which should be fully protected.
    1. The Co-ordinating Agency will consider whether the scheme is essential and is of sufficient priority in the context of over-all national interest to merit the allocation of funds in the present economic conditions and if so, whether the amount of the grant, to the extent asked for, is justified;
      1. As far as practicable, the research grant should not involve any expenditure in foreign exchange. In case of need for some marginal expenditure in foreign exchange, the sponsoring institution should indicate the quantum required and how they propose to meet it. There will be no commitment on the part of the Co-ordinating Agency that the requisite foreign exchange will be made available and any request for foreign exchange has to be processed in the normal course through the usual processes. The Schemes selected by the co-ordinating Agencies in the committees or otherwise have to be referred to the Department of Economic Affairs for their formal concurrence before they are proposed to the U.S. authorities concerned.
      2. Financial provision may be included in some of the research schemes for one or more visits of the Principal investigator and/or his associates to the U.S. for technical consultations in furtherance of the research. Such visits should be under-taken only when they are absolutely essential and provision for this purpose kept at the minimum necessary, in case it cannot be eliminated altogether. Proposals for such visits would require the usual clearance at the appropriate time and the Journeys should be undertaken on Air India; an
      3. As a matter of policy, foreign scientists should not be allowed to articipate in PL-480 projects except where it is absolutely necessary and with prior approval.
Minor Projects: These should be undertaken only when necessary facilities already exist in the Laboratory.
Major Projects:These may require new equipment and extra staff and should be accepted only when the sponsorer is prepared to meet the entire cost.
Projects involving a total expenditure of not more than Rs. 10,000/- may be approved by the Head of Laboratory/Institute concerned.
For projects involving an expenditure of between 10,000/- and Rs.50,000/- prior approval of the Executive Council be taken wherever possible. In case of urgency, the Head of the Laboratory/Institute may accord approval and report the matter to the Executive Council at its next meeting for ratification.
For projects involving an expenditure of more than Rs. 50,000/- prior approval of the Executive Council shall be taken.
The sanction of the competent authority will be taken on the prescribed proforma as at Annexure.
The duration of the project shall be decided upon by the Director in consultation with the Sponsorer subject to adequate safeguards to ensure that no legal liability shall rest with the CSIR if the project is not completed within the stipulated period and no.guarantees are given.
The Investigation will be carried out within the mutually agreed terms for which the cost estimates have been prepared. If a project is to be continued further, fresh terms will be discussed with the sponsorer. A provision to this effect be made in the agreement specified under Clause VI.
The agreed terms shall not be inconsistent with the major terms set out in this document.
Under no circumstances National Laboratories/Institutes shall undertake research which entails any legal consequences of the nature of damage or other liability if it does not discharge its obligation within the stipulated period.
Staff employed on sponsored projects will be borne on the establishment of the sponsorer and not that of the laboratory/Institute. Such staff will, however, be under the administrative control and discipline of the Laboratory/Institute for the duration of the Project.
In the case of projects sponsored by Govt. Departments, short term appointments for the duration of the Project may be made by the Heads of the National, Laboratories in accordance with the normal recruitment procedures. The terms and conditions of the staff thus appointed Will be as laid down in CSIR O.M. No.16150/68-EI dated 23.4.69. The qualifications, experience, pay scales etc. of such staff should conform to those obtaining in the Laboratories/Institutes.
Regular staff of the laboratory may also be deployed on the project but their pay and allowances plus over-heads of 25% will be recovered from the sponsorer.
Investigator(s) concerned and others - 40%
CSIR (Industrial Research Fund) - 60%
IX. TA.1D.A, to Staff
1. The Laboratory will provide existing facilities like water. gas. steam, power. chemicals, glass-ware and other stores and levy charges for the same.
2. Over-head charges of 1 0% may be added to the actual cost.
3. Depreciation charges towards use of equipment should also be levied.
4. In case any new item of equipment is required, the same should be provided by the sponsorer and the sponsorer will be free to remove it on completion of the Project. In case the sponsorer desires to leave the equipment with the Laboratory/Institute as a gift, a letter to that effect should be obtained and the equipment taken over in the relevant stock register.
5. In case the equipment is considered useful for the Laboratory, it may be purchased by the laboratory on the basis of depreciated value of the equipment.
A refundable deposit for use of Library (Rs.2501- may be enough to cover possible risk in the issue of library books and journals).
Refundable equipment deposit
Staff requirements and their Financial implications year-wise:-
Services, Viz. Water, gas, power etc.
Chemicals, Glassware, and other Stores.
Depreciation on equipment.
Estimated expenditure on TA/DA as per rules subject to adjustment in due course.
Contingencies (Office conveyance, stationery, typing of reports etc..
Charges to be made as fees over and above actual expenses wherever provided.
Periodic progress reports be made available to the sponsorer as agreed upon.
The final project report will be handed over only after the sponsorer has settled the accounts.
As a rule, the sponsorer should exploit the process.
The right of option for commercial exploitation should be communicated in writing to the Head of the Laboratory/Institute within 90 (Ninety) days from the submission of the Final report on the Project.
The Sponsorer who takes over the commercial exploitation of the process may be given a time limit of two years to start actual commercial Production.
In case the Sponsorer does not exercise his option within the period stipulated at (b) above or fails to start commercial production within the time limit laid down in (c) the laboratory should be free to offer the process to any other party.
In case of (d) above, a percentage of royalty accruing from the process may be remitted to the original sponsorer.
The process/know-how developed will be demonstrated to the authorised representative of the sponsorer in the Laboratory premises. The design drawings may also be handed over to the Sponsorer or his authorised representative. The laboratory will help the sponsorer in the testing of the product and provide consultative advice, if necessary, and towards this, charges will be payable by the sponsorer as per Laboratory's Schedule of Testing Charges. The estimated cost of TA/DA will also be borne by the firm and paid in advance.
1. Title of the scheme.
2. Sponsorer
3. Duration of the project.
4. Object and scope of the work
5. Present state of knowledge
6. Programme of work contemplated along with phasing.
7. Reports.
8. Utilisation of know-how.
9. Patents.
10. Publications.
11. Finances.
12. Remarks.
That schemes/projects sponsored by non-CSIR bodies at the National Laboratories/Institutes be accepted with a condition that the liability towards employer's share of contribution for the C.P.F. of the persons employed is acceptable to the Sponsors of such schemes/projects:
the employer's share of contribution towards C.P.F. will be payable to the Persons employed on sponsored schemes/projects on completion of minimum service of 5 years;
the employer's share of contribution in each case of employee employed on sponsored scheme will, in the first instance, be paid by the sponsors to the C.S.I.R. If in any case, the employee leaves service either on the termination of the scheme or for any other reason before completion of 5 years, he will not be entitled to employer's share of contribution and the amount credited by the Sponsors, will be refunded to the Sponsors except in a special case otherwise decided by the CSIR in accordance with C.P.F. rules; and
in the cases where any employee of a sponsored scheme is re-employed on another sponsored scheme and his total service on schemes exceeds 5 years, he will be entitled to the employer's share of contribution. In such cases, the employer's share contributed by the earlier sponsors will not be refunded to them and a condition to this effect will be incorporated in the agreement with the Sponsors.
The Sponsored projects/Schemes under different categories should be accepted/undertaken on a selective basis i.e. (i) these should be in consonance with the approved objectives, goals and charter of the Laboratory/Institute; (ii) be in the areas/fields of the regular activities of the Institute; (iii) from part of the total plans of the Laboratory; (iv) be included in the Annual/Five Year Plan of the Institute; and (v) be of a major benefit to the Country.
The projects should not serve merely as data basis for more advanced countries or provide a chance for dumping obsolete plants/technology in India and retard our growth. These should not also become a tool of diverting the Institute away from its approved priorities by lure of equipment etc. Where equipment is capital intensive, one should normally not look for the acquisition of such equipment through sponsored schemes, but CSIR should take up the responsibility for this. There could be special situations where there are clear advantages of using a Scheme for this purpose.
Such Projects/Schemes should first be cleared by the Research Advisory Council of the Concerned Laboratory/Institute from the viewpoint of scientific merit/national relevance. Thereafter, these would be discussed with CSIR Headquarters, the nodal point for such discussions being the Planning Division. After the projects/schemes are cleared by the CSIR, the same would be placed before the Executive Committee of the concerned Laboratory for approval.
The work relating to these projects should, as far as possible, be managed with the regular staff instead of making them a vehicle for additional manpower. The Laboratories/Institutes should themselves have inherent capability to provide the major inputs for infrastructure to take on the sponsored schemes and the incremental staff should be minimal. While Planning to take up sponsored schemes, adequate thought should be given to aspects relating to the building up of staff as also for tapering it off when the scheme gets completed.
The prescribed procedure, as applicable for regular posts/staff, should be followed both for creating additional posts and recruiting additional staff, if any, required for UNDP, PL-480 and other Bilateral Projects. It should be ensured that while making recruitment for schemes/projects posts, there should be no dilution of quality. The staff recruited for such Projects will be treated as temporary CSIR Staff.
The staff recruited for schemes by following the prescribed recruitment procedure, should not be required to undergo this procedure a fresh for their appointment/absorption on regular side in identical Posts. On such absorption their scheme service will be taken into account for purposes of entitlement to various service benefits in CSIR such as Leave, Study Leave etc.
The staff earlier appointed in the Sponsored Projects/schemes, PL-480 schemes etc., who have since been absorbed on the regular side in the same Lab./lnstt. in which the scheme was under operation will be entitled to count their service rendered under the scheme in an identical post for purpose of assessment for promotion to the next higher grade. The advantage of assessment on this basis will, however, be available with effect from 1. 10. 80 or the date of completing the prescribed number of qualifying years for assessment, whichever is later.
The existing persons who have rendered three years continuous service in a scheme should be absorbed either against existing regular vacancies in identical posts or by creating additional posts (by following prescribed procedure) if the work load in the Laboratory/Institute so demands. The Supernumerary posts could be created to absorb the staff employed in such projects/schemes initially being a one time effort only. The laboratories/institutes should not recruit further staff until all such staff is absorbed.
The grant made for such projects should be treated as an adhoc grant to the Institute and the same should clearly figure in the overall "Income - Expenditure" and "Assets - Liabilities" statements of the Institute.
More opportunities should be given to younger scientists to visit abroad for training etc. in the Scheme sponsored by U.N.D.P. etc.
This committee was appointed by the Director General, CSIR in pursuance of the recommendations of the 29th Conference of Directors held at CFTRI, Mysore on 2/33-6-78. The letters appointing the Committee, nominating its Chairman and the Meetings held are appended (Appendix 1, 11 & III respectively).
The Committee was provided with the relevant documents by the CSIR Secretariat. The list of these is given in letter No. 16(150)/68-E.11 (Pt.11) dated 29/30.6.1979 from the Chief (Administration) (Appendix IV).
The Committee did not invite any suggestions, as the Directors could forward their suggestions to this Committee as indicated to them in Council's letter No.4/3/78-Cte. dated 8.6.79 communicating the constitution of the Committee. Some suggestions were received from some of the Directors of the National Laboratories. These were duly considered by the Committee. Some representations made by the 'Scheme Personnel' regarding their service conditions put up to the Committee, were also considered.
The Committee held a preliminary discussion in its meeting held at Hyderabad on 28.8.79 and also went through the various orders already existing on the subject. In its final meeting held on 12.3.80, the Committee reviewed the existing procedures/practices prevailing in CSIR and also in other organisations like ICAR vis a vis the scope and the need for taking up projects funded by outside agencies.
Such staff actually in position will be treated as regular - temporary staff of CDRI with immediate effect provided their original appointment in the Schemes was made as per rules applicable for regular appointments;
Scientific and Technical staff will be eligible to count Scheme service for the purpose of their assessment under the New Recruitment and Assessment Scheme etc. of the CSIR and their assessment will be done along with similarly placed regular staff in the Laboratory/Instt.;
Being regular-temporary employee of CDRI these employees will be eligible to all the service benefits/service conditions as are applicable to the regular staff of CSIR;
In the case of non-technical staff, their seniority vis-a-vis other similar regular staff will be counted from the date of issue of these orders;
The post lying vacant under these schemes as on the date of issue of these orders will stand abolished and will not be allowed to be operated under any circumstances
In the event of any future vacancy occuring amongst absorbed staff, the same will also stand abolished;
The grant being received from the Department of Science and Technology/Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for running of these schemes will be treated as receipt of CSIR and operated as such, so long as these Schemes continued to be financed by the above Departments. As and when either of these Departments discounting financing either of the Schemes, staff of such schemes now being absorbed on regular strength of the Laboratory will be adjusted against the likely comparable vacancies that may arise on the regular strength of the Laboratory in future.
Service in respect of direct recruits rendered in the Scheme will count for assessmentpurpose as already decided vide this office letter of even number dated 29-6-88. Such staff, if recommended, will be eligible for assessment promotion either from 29-6-88 or any date on which they complete the prescribed length of service, as required for assessment, whichever is later; and
CSIR employees seconded to the Scheme after following prescribed normal recruitment procedure and without dilution of qualifications and standards, shall also be entitled to get the service rendered in the scheme counted for the purpose of assessment in case of absorption without break in regular establishment in the same capacity carrying identical status and pay scale as previously held in the Scheme side.
The existing staff strength should be utilised to the optimum by detailing them for the project work.
Minimal requirement of additional man-power for S&T activities may be meted-out from the ceilings of Peer Review already fixed for the year 1987-90. This demand could also be met by inducting of S&T staff on deputation basis from sister Labs. and outside organisations, as per rules.
With regard to non-technical staff, retired employees may be engaged upto a period of six months subject to the ceiling of the emoluments as fixed in the case of a Consultant under extant GOI orders issued from time to time.
If at all additional man-power is a must to man the project work, proposal for creation of posts in the regular side may be initiated giving their justification so that the quality standard may be applied for their induction.
Your engagement is for the Project, namely, _________________________ funded by (Name of the Sponsor) _____________________ and as such the offer is being made to you on behalf of the sponsor namely _____________________________________________
It is not an offer of appointment in CSIR temporary or otherwise. It is a contractual engagement for the Project/Scheme funded by the above sponsor. It would, therefore, not confer any right/claim implicit or explicit for your consideration against any CSIR post.
Your engagement on contract is for a specific period of which may be
The contract of engagement may be terminated by giving one Month's notice in writing by either side.
No travelling allowance will be paid to you for reporting for duty.
Your engagement on contract will be subject to the production of the following documents at your expense at the time of your reporting for duty:-
1. Medical Certificate of health and physical fitness for service issued by the competent medical authority in the Prescribed format, if not already so medically examined. In the latter case, a certified copy of the relevant medical certificate should be furnished.
2. Documentary evidence in support of your date of birth and qualifications.
Any service matter not specifically stated herein shall be determined by the Director, _________________ (Name of the Laboratory) whose decision shall be final and binding on both the parties to the Contract.