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The awarding of higher salaries and financial perks to government scientists in India's departments of defence, atomic energy and space — but not other agencies or universities — has divided the scientific community.

The latest controversy has been triggered by an order issued last month sanctioning special monthly pay of Rs2,000 (US$47) and an annual professional ‘update’ allowance of Rs5,000 for all scientists in these three strategic departments. The benefits will be backdated to January 1996.

Many scientists were already upset by the government's decision last November to deny them the fast-track promotional ladder available to defence, atomic and space scientists (see Nature 396, 299; 1998 ).

Critics say the initial move, introduced after India's nuclear tests last May, sent the wrong signals to the scientific community, as it appeared to suggest that good work means developing bombs, missiles and satellites rather than producing a vaccine or crop variety.

“The government has created a new caste of super-scientists,” says S. R. Valluri, former director at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

The initial order said the incentives were given in view of “the role played by them in the development of high technology and systems for strategic applications⃛ and in order to attract, retain, inspire and motivate scientists to give their best contributions”.

But Valangiman Ramamurthi, secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, admits that the move has instead “caused widespread resentment”. He adds: “It is unfortunate that the scientific community is now fragmented. We [the secretaries of affected departments] have represented to the prime minister seeking a uniform package for all scientific departments and autonomous institutes.”

Critics say the Bharatiya Janata Party government is equating scientific progress with bombs and missiles by declaring 11 May — the anniversary of the nuclear test — as Technology Day.