The only government sugar research and training institute of the country, the National Sugar Institute, has received a jolt. Funds allocated to the central government-run institute most recently have been cut by up to 40 per cent, and this has adversely affected the ongoing research and training programmes.
The institute, run under the union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, conducts training and research in sugar technology and allied fields. It also gives technical assistance to sugar factories, apart from acting as advisor to the government.
Officials of the institute told Business Standard the talks for additional funds were on and expected to be positive. The institute is facing a severe shortage of working staff in all categories, but the vacancies are not being filled.
The maximum truncation has been observed in material supply and office work. The allocation was Rs 40 lakh before while now it has been reduced to a mere Rs 20 lakh, despite the high inflation.
The allocation for other functions was Rs 80 lakh in 2005-06, and now has been reduced to Rs 58 lakh for the current session.
Research work requires at least Rs 10 lakh per year, but the allocation has been reduced to less than Rs 5 lakh. The institute director, R P Shukla, said he had contacted the central ministry and conveyed the problems to officials. “We expect them to take cognizance of our problems and want more funds disbursed by the month end,” he added.
Kannauj MP Anil Shukla Varsi is unhappy with funds reduction and said the institute would not be allowed to stop functioning. He also said the institute was the only one with a ‘factory unit’ for research purposes and its closure would be a setback for research work in the field.
Varsi also said the funds reduction was because of personal prejudices of influential persons in the central ministry. “If the NSI closes down, the immediate benefactor will be a renowned private sugar research institute in Pune,” he added.