<p>One of India’s most prestigious research institutes, Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) endured embarrassing moments on Thursday after news surfaced that the institute had paid its scientists, research scholars and administrative staffs only 50% of their February salary due to paucity of funds.</p>.<p>But when the news went viral, the government undertook a fire-fighting exercise and deposited the remaining the money to the TIFR staffers’ bank accounts by evening. Sources attributed the crisis to a technical glitch in the accounting system.</p>.<p>On Wednesday, TIFR staffers were in for a shock when they realised that only half of their salary had been credited to their banks.</p>.<p>“It was a surprise for me. It (salary cut) never happened to me in my last 9 years of work at TIFR. This time, salary also came a day a late,” a TIFR scientist told <span class="italic">DH</span>.</p>.<p>A notice put out by the TIFR Registrar Wg Cdr George Antony (rtd) on March 6 said, “Due to insufficient funds, all staff members and students/post doctoral fellows of the TIFR in Centres and Field Stations will be paid 50% of the net salary for the month of February immediately. Remaining part of the salary will be paid when sufficient funds are available.”</p>.<p>“All deductions will be calculated on full salary and will be deposited to respective authorities as per rules,” it added.</p>.<p>The news of fund shortage in India’s premiere science institute spread like wildfire, compelling the government to take action within 24 hours.</p>.<p>“The complete salary of all the employees of TIFR has been credited to their respective bank accounts. The issue has been solved now,” Antony told news agency PTI.</p>.<p>TIFR was set up in 1955-56 through a tripartite agreement between the central government, then Bombay State and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. The agreement envisaged extensive financial support from the central government. </p>.<p>Besides its main campus in south Mumbai, TIFR has six other centres, three of which are in Bengaluru.</p>.<p>More than 99% of the expenditure of the institute is borne by the Centre. The institute comes under the DAE through which all grants are channelled.</p>.<p>TIFR fund crunch is the second example of a government agency failing to meet its pay and allowance obligations in the fourth quarter of the current fiscal due to paucity of funds.</p>.<p>Last month, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts, Pune, under the Ministry of Defence put out a note said on its website saying due to insufficient funds, it was not in a position to pay for the transportation allowances of the officers.</p>.<p>A Defence Ministry official later clarified that the shortfall was temporary and resolved routinely through re-appropriation of funds. The note was subsequently withdrawn.</p>
<p>One of India’s most prestigious research institutes, Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) endured embarrassing moments on Thursday after news surfaced that the institute had paid its scientists, research scholars and administrative staffs only 50% of their February salary due to paucity of funds.</p>.<p>But when the news went viral, the government undertook a fire-fighting exercise and deposited the remaining the money to the TIFR staffers’ bank accounts by evening. Sources attributed the crisis to a technical glitch in the accounting system.</p>.<p>On Wednesday, TIFR staffers were in for a shock when they realised that only half of their salary had been credited to their banks.</p>.<p>“It was a surprise for me. It (salary cut) never happened to me in my last 9 years of work at TIFR. This time, salary also came a day a late,” a TIFR scientist told <span class="italic">DH</span>.</p>.<p>A notice put out by the TIFR Registrar Wg Cdr George Antony (rtd) on March 6 said, “Due to insufficient funds, all staff members and students/post doctoral fellows of the TIFR in Centres and Field Stations will be paid 50% of the net salary for the month of February immediately. Remaining part of the salary will be paid when sufficient funds are available.”</p>.<p>“All deductions will be calculated on full salary and will be deposited to respective authorities as per rules,” it added.</p>.<p>The news of fund shortage in India’s premiere science institute spread like wildfire, compelling the government to take action within 24 hours.</p>.<p>“The complete salary of all the employees of TIFR has been credited to their respective bank accounts. The issue has been solved now,” Antony told news agency PTI.</p>.<p>TIFR was set up in 1955-56 through a tripartite agreement between the central government, then Bombay State and Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. The agreement envisaged extensive financial support from the central government. </p>.<p>Besides its main campus in south Mumbai, TIFR has six other centres, three of which are in Bengaluru.</p>.<p>More than 99% of the expenditure of the institute is borne by the Centre. The institute comes under the DAE through which all grants are channelled.</p>.<p>TIFR fund crunch is the second example of a government agency failing to meet its pay and allowance obligations in the fourth quarter of the current fiscal due to paucity of funds.</p>.<p>Last month, the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts, Pune, under the Ministry of Defence put out a note said on its website saying due to insufficient funds, it was not in a position to pay for the transportation allowances of the officers.</p>.<p>A Defence Ministry official later clarified that the shortfall was temporary and resolved routinely through re-appropriation of funds. The note was subsequently withdrawn.</p>
