To

The Prime Minister

India

Through: Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Sub: Regarding the issues of Research Scholars of India

Respected Sir,

We want to bring to your notice issues regarding research scholars of India. Research scholars are facing many problems in various forms across the country. One of our colleagues Siva Ranjan Uppala (Ph.D. Research Scholar, ISSER, Mohali, Punjab) has started Paidal March from Mohali to Delhi to draw the attention of concerned towards the following demands of research scholars-

1. The government must ensure regular disbursal of fellowship, contingency, medical and other rightful benefits for all the scholars in various institutions and must be same all over India.
2. There must be a slab implementation of JRF to SRF (1.3 fold of JRF) and SRF to RA (1.3 fold of SRF). Must revise the fellowship amount on the basis of inflation factor regularly. By providing the proper amount of fellowship and facilities, stop our students to do Ph.D. in abroad.
3. In similar to the previous hikes, initiate the recent hike from 1st April 2014 for all the scholars and project fellows irrespective of the funding agency (including scholars in Universities).
4. All discriminating fees including registration fee, semester fees etc. must be revoked in all research institutions.
5. National-exam qualified students are not willing to join in most of our Universities to do research. Develop research infrastructure in the Universities and increase the scope of research for more number of students (problems of libraries, laboratories, instruments and all related issues).
6. Government funding and infrastructure for research (including research in Basic Sciences, medical, Agriculture, Engineering and Arts) must be increased.
7. The government must take lifelong medication responsibility for researchers working in nuclear, chemical and other hazardous fields. 

8. The government must ensure the scope of continuation of research and worthy employment after PhD and post-doctoral studies for Research scholars.
9. Researchers coming after their post-doctoral studies are struggling to get faculty (or scientist) positions. The process of faculty recruitment must be transparent in all the institutes and Universities. Must appoint faculties in all the vacant positions.
10. Effective measures must be taken to prevent all kinds of corruption. Misuse and wastage of funds, facilities must be stopped. 

11. Privatization and commercialization of research sector and research outputs must be immediately stopped and proper measures must be taken to make this sector free from the hands of private gainers.

In addition, his initiative movement is going on social networking. These are the facebook pages comprising of the concerned activities of research scholars-

Fight for the Rights of Ph.D. Scholars:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/490702807741833/

Hike in Fellowship: https://www.facebook.com/groups/researchsholarsofindia/

Hike Research Fellowship:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hike-Research-Fellowship/504383576361198

Researchers in India, wake up having research problems in mind unlike others, miss food, sleep, feel happy in getting results (small or big), miss personal life and family, believe the higher authority, the government and never demanded for anything. But, this time, researchers worried about the government policies, politics and decided to fight for basic rights.

Now, this is humble request to you, please take immediate steps to provide the relief to the research scholars for the betterment of society.

Regards

Joint Students Action Committee,

Panjab University, Chandigarh

Date: 2/1/2015