Scientists quitting NAL

Staff Reporter

Scientists are attracted by high salaries in IT sector

Joint ventures, public-private partnerships need of the hour

Bangalore: Scientists are resigning or retiring from the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) “in droves,” its Director A.R. Upadhya said on Wednesday.

Dr. Upadhya told journalists: “We have to pay more — there is no question about that.”

With a strength of 400, the NAL was one of the biggest laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to attract or retain manpower, he said. “The NAL had advertised for nearly 100 positions this year, but has been able to identify professionals to fill only 60 to 70 per cent of the positions.”

In 2007, the organisation recruited 60 B and C level scientists, but they represented only 80 per cent of their need. “Around 12 among them have already left,” Dr. Upadhya said.

“At one point, the NAL was the first choice for scientific talent. But they are now drawn away by the salaries offered by the Information Technology sector,” he said.

Dr. Upadhya said the institute had been compromising on the “standard” of recruits. “The government can no longer afford to ignore the private sector. Joint ventures and public-private partnerships could well be the solution.”
RTA-70

The NAL was looking for public, private and international collaborators for the turbo propeller-driven Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA-70), which it proposed to develop. The RTA-70 would have a capacity to carry 80 passengers and would be developed within five to seven years, said Dr. Upadhya.

“There is a growing market for turbo propeller technology because of rising fuel costs.” The aircraft would be developed at a cost of Rs.2,035 crore in two phases, and the CSIR had already allocated Rs.300 crore for the project in the 11th Plan.
Saras to get lighter

Dr. Upadhya said the 14-seater, multi-purpose civilian aircraft, Saras, would be 500 kg lighter in its third prototype with the replacement of the metal wings with lighter carbon fibre wings. The aircraft, which weighed 8,000 kg in its first prototype in 2004, had been getting progressively lighter, weighing 7,100 kg in its second prototype.

The total cost of this project, from prototype to production, would be Rs.200 crore, he said.

“The third prototype of the aircraft is now being developed in collaboration with a private company and will most likely receive a certification by 2010. The Indian Air Force will most likely be the launch customer.”
Golden jubilee

The NAL, which turned 50 years this year, would be marking its Golden Jubilee celebrations with a series of international and national conferences.

The first of these titled “International Conference on Science and Technology” was held at the Indian Institute of Science on Thursday. It will continue on Friday.