While speaking at a function at IIT Rourkee, Kapil Sibal, Communication Minister emphasised the need for hiring top scientists in institutions like IIT. He stated the need for IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) in the field of technology. He also stated the need for desired pay scales.

“Pick up research people of excellence from around the world. Bring them into your institutions. We now have system put in place that allows you to do that. Give them the scales of salary that you want…Young Indians around the world are very keen to come back to India,”  Communications Minister said.

I am very happy that the Minister has been frank enough to say the above. But what is happening in his own Ministry, Communications? What is the present position of the C-DOT, which was one of the best R&D institutions in the country, which invented and installed the C-DOT exchanges throughout the country, which still works efficiently. Are sufficient funds allotted to it, at least now? How many young engineers have left it in the last two decades?

Let us hope that the MInister will implement his own words in his own ministry. Let him also take necessary steps to modernise the BSNL Telecom Factories which will help in manufacturing many equipments required for telecom services. ITI is another PSU which can be revived.