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Funds crunch hits RSC hard
Funds crunch has been hitting hard the Regional Science Centre (RSC) established in Hanamkonda with an objective of spreading scientific fervour among students and public.
Hanamkonda: Funds crunch has been hitting hard the Regional Science Centre (RSC) established in Hanamkonda with an objective of spreading scientific fervour among students and public.
Highlights:
- Foundation stone for the centre was laid in 1999 and was inaugurated in October 2015 after a delay of 16 years
- Contract employees’ salaries are pending for past 6 months
- Rs 60 lakh per annum was allotted during united Andhra Pradesh and has been reduced to `6 lakh per year after Telangana State formation
Warangal Regional Science Centre is the only one in the entire Telangana State under government control as Birla Science Centre in Hyderabad is being operated under private sector. Nonetheless the State government seems to be undermining its importance in popularising the science.
The RSC falls under control of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Science and Technology (APCOST), an autonomous body attached to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Science and Technology (EFS&T).
Foundation stone for the centre was laid in 1999 and it was inaugurated in October 2015 after a delay of 16 years.
The government’s disregard towards the science centre can be understood in view of the fact that the allocation of funds, which was Rs 60 lakhs per annum during united Andhra Pradesh and has been reduced to Rs 6 lakh per year after Telangana State formation.
Further, the reduced amount is not even released in a proper manner and fully. For the current year, the government has released only Rs 90,000. The amount released for the previous year is Rs 3 lakhs out of Rs 6 lakhs.
The result is that the officials, who were given the responsibility of running the centre are finding it difficult to cope up with the maintenance expenditure and in organising programmes towards dissemination of scientific knowledge among the student community. “We have made representations to the government seeking to restore the funding of Rs 60 lakhs to ensure effective services to the students. We have also sought a grant of Rs 3.5 crore towards developmental activities,” the RSC Project Officer Dr Sirpa Srinivas told The Hans India.
The issue has also been taken to the notice of the TSCOST member secretary and EFS&T department joint secretary, G Krishnaveni. Rs 46 lakhs due to Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA), which constructed the RSC, is yet to be cleared, he said.
Due to meagre funding, several exhibits, which developed technical problems, are not being repaired. There is a need to recruit technicians. The contract employees working at the SRC have not received their salaries since six months.
By James Edwin
