Recently I attended a seminar organised by a reputed Think Tank in India. Some of their recent publications were on display and one could pick up those. Annual Report of the Think Tank was also there.
A cursory look at the balance sheet in the annual report gave out some interesting data. In the last financial year they received Rs 19.69 crores as Foreign Contribution for Designated Projects. One would be interested to know who are the foreign contributors. Expenditure on Staff salary and Benefits showed Rs 89 Lakhs.
Seeing the events they organise, the number of research papers they publish one feels there is a tremendous work load on the research staff, half of them are under 35 years of age. I have a fair idea how much other Think Tanks like USI, CLAWS, CAPS, CENJOWS, VIF and to some extent IDSA pays. Peanuts. Not surprisingly they employ retired people and service officers on study leave. You cannot blame them. Except IDSA others run the org on shoe string budgets.
Here when they have so much funds, do they pay their researchers adequately. At least at say, UGC scale of lecturer/ Asst Prof/ Prof?
We have heard Honourable Minister Piyush Goel stating that it is good that top 100 companies are shedding people. They will become entrepreneurs and become job provider. Hope this Think Tank does not make their researchers job givers.
I must admit I have no idea how much they pay to their researchers. If they pay well, it is well and good. If not, then food for thought perhaps.
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