New Delhi:(Environmental education, awareness and training are important scheme of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for enhancing the understanding of people at all the levels about the relationship between the human beings and the environment and to develop the capabilities to improve and protect the environment. There are different terms and conditions for NGOs who join this project. We present here respective terms and conditions for them in a series.)There are various schemes to encourage the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to participate in environmental projects of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. They are Environmental Research Promotion including National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS); Pollution Control Projects; Greening India Scheme under National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board; Conservation; Environment Education, awareness and Centres of excellence scheme; Environmental Information System (ENVIS); Animal Welfare and National River Conservation Project (NRCP).Terms and conditions and eligibility criteria for funding vary for different types of NGOs.
Environmental Research Promotion
Terms and Conditions for Sanction of Research Projects:
A Project will normally be sanctioned for a maximum of three years. The grant will be payable in two installments each year on submission of Utilization Certificates, Expenditure Statement and Progress Reports. In the case of collaborative research carried out by a network of institutions, the Coordinating Institution would be responsible for submission of the Utilization Certificate and Expenditure Statement and Progress Reports covering all the partners. The authorities of the institution(s) where the research activities are to be carried out would receive the grants and be responsible for their disbursement, administration, and maintenance of accounts.
In case any Investigator (including Lead or Principal Investigator) leaves the institute, responsibility for completion of the project may be entrusted to another equally qualified Investigator by the Head of the Institution with approval of the Ministry, at no additional cost.
All accounts in respect of the project will be subject to audit by the institution auditors. On termination of the project, the duly audited accounts shall be submitted and the unspent balance, if any shall be refunded to the MoEF within six calendar months of completion of the project. Full and final payment will be made after the acceptance of all the financial certificates, audit reports and final technical reports of the project. Ten (10) percent of the sanctioned amount will be released only on completion of all closure formalities.
During the course of implementation of the project, the MoEF may depute its staff or scientists from other institutions to visit the research institution(s) concerned to review progress.
The selection, and appointment of JRFs/SRFs/Emeritus Scientists/ Support Staff for the project may be made by the Principal/Lead Investigator in terms of the procedures of the concerned Institutions for periods not exceeding the sanctioned duration of the project. The Qualification and experience should be followed as per the DST guidelines.
Staff appointed for the research project will be subject to the administrative control and service rules as applicable at the institute where they are appointed.
In respect of particular research projects, at the time of sanction, the Ministry may prescribe requirements of prior approval by the Ministry before submitting for publication or conference presentation, papers or articles based on the Project. In the event, after due enquiry, the Ministry concludes that the progress of a research Project is highly unsatisfactory and cannot be improved, it may terminate the Project. Upon such termination, full audited accounts and refund of all unspent balances will have to be made promptly to the Ministry.
All equipment and stores purchased out of the grant would remain with the institution concerned unless otherwise specified in the sanction. However, the grantee organization will submit the list of assets acquired under the project as per the prescribed proforma. The terms “Assets” here means (a) immovable property and (b) movable property of a capital nature where the value exceeds Rs. 10,000/-.
International travel, even if provided for in the project budget, will require prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests.
The Research Fellows and Investigators may pursue a research degree while working on the project. They may utilize the research outputs of the project towards their degree requirements, except in cases where the sanction would provide that the research results are classified.
The project will become operative with effect from the date of receipt of the First Demand Draft by the grantee organization. The date of receipt of the Demand Draft will be intimated by the Principal Investigator to the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The projects will be sanctioned normally for a specified period (maximum three years).Extension may be granted in exceptional cases upto a maximum period of one year. Any request for extension of the project should be sent by PI to the Ministry at least three months before the closing date. The PI should not make any expenditure after the closing date without specific approval of the Ministry or till the extension is conveyed to him. If such extension does not involve change in scope of the project, no additional funds would be sanctioned.
Sharing of Intellectual Property Rights between the Government of India and the Institution(s) and research staff participating in the project would be specified in the sanction order based on Guidelines of the CSIR.
The Principal Investigator shall submit three hard copies and one soft copy of the progress report of the project at the end of the each year to the Contact Person for Annual Review of the project.The grantee organization(s) will furnish 5 copies of the Final Technical Report, including Executive Summary, alongwith a soft copy, to the Ministry. The FTR will be subject to review by the Thematic Peer Group.
Non-Governmental Organizations seeking financial assistance for research projects shall execute a Bond in the prescribed format.All correspondence is to be addressed to the Contact Person specified for the concerned Research Programme.The Peer reviewers will be given honorarium @ Rs. 600/- per project for providing expert comments on the project.
M.C. Sharma was not only the proud of Uttarakhand but he was proud of whole nation. we are saluting him for his sacrifies of life for safety of his all indian brothers and sisters. Maa Bharati Unki atma ko shanti pradaan karen.