The
Defence Ministry has decided to enhance the retirement age
of senior scientists with it to 65 years. As per information
available, even the Sixth Pay Commission would also give approval
to it. At present, efforts are also underway to stop the exodus
of scientists from this sector. It may be noted that the enhancement
in age has arisen due to retirement of scientists engaged
in the production of complex technologies associated with
Agni missiles, submarines with nuclear power and missile defence
technology. The move of the ministry is commendable. It may
also be noted that the retirement age for staff working with
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been
proposed at 62. There would be a special consolation package
in the payscales for defence scientists. It may be noted that
during the last 14 years, more than 1,400 scientists have
left DRDO- most of them of young age. And in this scenario
the retirement of senior scientists would further compound
the problem. Thus the ministry has made an effective move
to check the trend of scientists leaving the Defence organisations.
The proposals of the Defence Ministry have been okayed by
the Administrative Staff College of India. It is hoped the
decision of the ministry would accelerate the important projects
at hand. The problem is not with India alone. In the US too
the aerospace and defense sector is bracing for a potential
brain drain over the next decade as a generation of Cold War
scientists and engineers hits retirement age and not enough
qualified young Americans seek to take their place. The problem
- almost 60 percent of US aerospace workers in 2007 were 45
or older - could affect national security and even close the
door on commercial products that start out as military technology,
industry officials said.
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