Centre withdraws controversial order on scientists' participation in webinars and conferences

The order made it mandatory for scientists & researchers to take prior permissions from the MEA to participate in international conferences

The Centre on Wednesday withdrew a controversial order that among other things made it mandatory for scientists and researchers to take prior permissions from the Ministry of External Affairs to participate in international conferences including online seminars.

"In view of the easing of restrictions on travel and assembly of people, guidelines issued regarding political clearance for international conferences or seminars or training due to Covid-19 pandemic are no longer applicable," the Ministry of External Affairs said in the new order.

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"All such events will however continue to be governed by the same rules and regulations applicable to political clearances prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. These rules are available on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs governing conferences."

The withdrawal comes after widespread protests from the scientific community.

Partha Majumder, president of the Indian Academy of Sciences last week wrote to the Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank seeking a revocation.

The scientists had reacted to the orders issued by the Ministry of Education on January 31, based on the guidelines originally issued by the MEA on November 25.

K Vijayraghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to the government had told DH earlier that the government was seized of the matter and the controversial order was under review.