The governing council of the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS) due to meet next month will decide on the issue of adequate representation for the State government in the eight-member body responsible for the administration of the institution. The Centre for Earth Science Studies was handed over to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences a year ago.
Secretary, Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, Shailesh Nayak told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the issue would be taken up for discussion at the meeting. “It is a matter that the governing council has to decide upon. Action will be taken based on the decision of the council.”
The lack of representation for the State government was an issue that had embittered a section of the scientific community in the State and led to concern in political circles. A section within the scientific establishment feels that the tripartite agreement between the Union and State governments and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) signed in January 2014 had proved to be a let down for the State that had nurtured the institute since its inception in 1978. They point out that senior officials of the State government have been included in the governing councils of both the Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) and Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), institutions that were earlier handed over to the Centre. Apart from Dr. Nayak, the NCESS governing council includes Somnath Dasgupta, Vice Chancellor, Assam University; J.B. Mohaptra and Anand S. Khati, Joint Secretaries, MoES; B.N. Satpathy, Senior Adviser, Planning Commission; S.K. Das, Adviser, MoES; S. Rajan, Director, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa, and Director, NCESS. The expert committee that had been constituted for the takeover of the institute by the MoES had recommended the inclusion of an official from the State in the governing council.
Dr. Nayak said solid earth studies would be the focal area of research at the NCESS as recommended by the expert committee. The institute would largely concentrate on the study of crustal formation and coastal processes in the coming years, he added.
Panel recommends inclusion of State representative
State has representation on SCTIMST, RGCB governing panels
