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Cell to be set up to help scientists returned to India

A cell is being created at the department of science and technology to help the Indian scientists who have been asked to leave the United States in the wake of the Pokhran tests.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Human Resource Development Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi said the cell would function under the direct charge of the secretary to the department of science and technology.

Indian missions in various countries, particularly those that had announced measures against Indian scientists, are to be informed about the cell. The missions in other countries would also be asked to provide information on any action contemplated by the governments of the countries they were in.

The cell would operate initially for six months, after which it would be reviewed, Dr Joshi said.

The minister said action had been taken against Indian scientists in the US who had been working there in their individual capacities.

According to the available information, only one of these scientists, working as a post doctoral fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US had actually returned to India and rejoined his parent organisation, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

If the scientists were actually repatriated, their expertise would be utilised and they would be provided opportunities in academic and research institutions and in the public and private sector industries, a government official said.

The department of science and technology said the action taken so far by the US would have no significant impact on Indian scientists. Their morale was high, he said.

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