The NIE, working under Ministry of Science and Technology, is unable to perform efficiently and is facing various difficulties in the pursuance of administrative matters as well as the implementation of projects due to the absence of a permanent director general, research officers and technical heads.
NIE facing hurdles in absence of Senior Officials
Acting DG Institute of Electronics briefed the committee about the mandate functions, expertise, major research and the achievements of the institute. He further informed that NIE has great potential to run the institute on commercial basis but it is only possible subject to the availability of funds. The committee was informed that NIE is an important institution of the ministry which was mandated to design and develop various items of electronics for various user organizations, impart advanced training in electronics and executes small scale production of specialised components and computer equipment. However, the institution has been facing hurdles due to the non-appointment of senior officials as well as not getting funds for the last three years. The acting DG also briefed about the issues of shortage of technical manpower and lack of development funds. During the discussion, the members of the committee emphasized that the institute must be focused towards self-sustainability. On the offer of DG institute of Electronics, the committee agreed to visit the institute very soon and DG was directed to prepare detailed working paper to move the institute toward commercial activities both government to government and in local market. The committee unanimously approved the minutes of its meeting held on 15th May 2019. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Malik MNA showed his reservation on the reply of the ministry against the previous direction of the committee. Further the other members also considered that the said reply was not up to the mark/satisfactory as it not fulfilled the purpose of the meeting of the committee. The committee directed the ministry to furnish the fresh report in detail for the perusal of the members of the committee before the next meeting. The Agenda item (ii) and (iii) pertaining to the legislation business was deferred as the mover the bills was not present in the meeting Dr. Nuzhat Khan, DG National Institute of Oceanology explained the need of study of oceanography in almost all the universities of the country as a subject for which the efforts are required at the level of this committee for future research in the new field. The committee ensured its best cooperation subject to provide the detail working paper in consultation with the ministry in the upcoming meeting of the committee and the Secretary was asked to proceed in the matter. Recommended Read: Government will Sponsor Tech-Based Business Ideas: Fawad Chaudhry
