New Delhi, 7 June (IANS). Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh said on Saturday that General Finance Rules (GFR) have been simplified for the purchase of scientific equipment and consumable materials as a major step to make research easier.
The GFR provides an important structure for financial management for the central government ministries, departments and autonomous bodies.
General Financial Rules (GFRs) apply to central government ministries, departments and autonomous bodies, which have their own sanctioned financial regulations. GFR covers aspects such as budgeting, procurement, expenditure and accounting.
In a post on social media platform X, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh said that the move will increase autonomy for young researchers.
He said, “This is an encouraging news for young ambitious startups, innovators and researchers as well as a great success. In a historic step of conducting research, scientific equipment and GFR rules have been simplified for procurement of consumable materials.”
He said, “The delay will be reduced with making the rules easier. Also for research institutes, autonomy and flexibility will increase and they will become stronger about rapid innovation.”
Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this transformational reform, which will speed up the technology-managed journey of developed India.
In an office memorandum released on June 5, Vice-Chancellor, Director of Scientific Organizations and educational institutions have been allowed to purchase non-government e-marketing (GEM) of scientific equipment and consumables.
According to the memorandum, this order only science and technology; Biotechnology; Scientific and industrial research; Nuclear power; space; Earth science; Defense Research and Development Organization; Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which includes its affiliated institutions and universities; Health Research (DHR), including the Indian Council of Medical Research; Under any ministry/department, postgraduate/doctoral level courses or research will be applicable to educational and research institutes.
The limit of purchasing goods without quotation with easy rules has been reduced from Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 2,00,000.
Similarly, the purchase limit from the purchase committee has been increased to Rs 2,00,000 and a maximum of Rs 25,00,000.
The memorandum states that the revised limit for Limited Tender Inquiry (LTE) is up to Rs 1 crore, while the new limit for advertised tender inquiry is more than Rs 1 crore.
The amendment is expected to give more flexibility for scientific ministries to import and purchase the equipment required for research.
-IANS
SKT/GKT
