Government’s gift to mothers

NEW DELHI: On the International Women’s Day, the government gave a unique gift to the fairer sex. The ministry of science and technology (S&T) will provide flexible working hours for women scientists having children up to the age of three.

Besides, all department of S&T-aided institutions would also have the state-of-art crèche facility and separate residential blocks for women. The department will also provide loans to women to buy computers so that they can work from home.

“The endeavour is to provide a level-playing field to women scientists,” said minister for S&T Kapil Sibal. The move is based on recommendations of a task force set up to address problems of women scientists and suggest solutions to enable women scientists and technologists contribute more.

The minister announced that young women scientists who are associates of the Indian National Science Academy will be given a research grant of up to Rs10 lakh a year for a period of 5 years.
p_vineeta@dnaindia.net