DARBHANGA, May 18 -- In a major push to strengthen research infrastructure and human resources, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has taken steps for the redeployment of administrative and technical posts to the National Research Centre on Makhana (NRCM) in Darbhanga. The redeployments, formalised through two official memorandums issued on May 15 and 16 respectively, mark a step forward in operationalising the centre's newly expanded mandate encompassing not just makhana but also a wider array of aquatic crops such as water chestnut (Singhada), lotus, water lily, and fisheries. To align the centre's staffing with its broadened scope, ICAR has redeployed eight key administrative positions from its constituent institutions across the country. These include: One administrative officer from the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal, one finance & accounts officer from ICAR headquarters, one assistant administrative officer and a private secretary from the Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technologies (CIRCOT), Mumbai, two assistants - one each from CIAE, Bhopal and National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA), Ranchi, one upper division clerk (UDC) from National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology (NINFET), Kolkata and one LDC from Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana. In tandem with administrative enhancements, ICAR has also approved the redeployment of ten technical posts to support core research and field operations at the upgraded centre. These include, 4 technical posts (field/farm), 3 (laboratory) 2 (workshop) and 1 for (IT). Three of these redeployments have been made from RCER, Patna and seven from CIPHET, Ludhiana. These technical personnel are expected to play key roles in research implementation, lab work, data management, and outreach in the domain of aquatic crop. "This administrative reshuffle is designed to provide NRCM Darbhanga with the organisational strength required to manage its growing research and coordination responsibilities effectively. It also reflects ICAR's broader policy of utilising in-house talent across its institutional network to meet evolving regional needs," said Dr Shyam Narayan Jha, deputy director general of agriculture engineering at ICAR. Jha, who has conducted pioneering research on makhana processing mechanisation and value addition, also played very crucial roles in GI tagging of 'Mithila Makhana' as well as restoration and elevation of makhana research centre into NRCM even as central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, plans to set up a Makhana Board, as announced in Union budget 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special attention to boost production and marketing of makhana as super food has brought it on global attention. As part of the redeployment strategy, ICAR will revise the cadre strength of the source institutions to formalize the transfer of posts. While this may temporarily affect staffing levels at the contributing units, it is seen as a necessary measure to maintain operational clarity and ensure the optimal use of resources across the ICAR ecosystem, sources added. At present, there are 7 scientists posted at NRCM out of a total sanctioned strength of 11. Sources pointed out that a proposal to appoint a couple of scientists including NRCM director is currently pending in ministry of finance. "The elevation of NRCM Darbhanga with an expanded focus marks a transformative moment for the city and the larger Mithila region. Known for its historical association with Makhana cultivation, Darbhanga is poised to become a scientific nucleus for aquatic crop research in India", said Mukesh Kumar Jha, a citizen, who has been strongly lobbying for infrastructure development in Darbhanga. National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM) was sanctioned as new scheme during 9th five year plan period (1997-2002) for conservation, research and development of makhana crop. However, during the 10th plan period, in 2005, the NRCM was merged and brought under the administrative control of ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region (RCER), Patna without changing the mandate. With this move, the national tag of the NRCM was revoked. In May 2023, the central government, however, restored the status of NRCM....