New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) Faculty members can now look forward to earning a bit more with the Indian government Thursday allowing them to work in recently established educational and scientific institutions facing serious staff problems.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Apart from faculty members, non-faculty members can also join these new institutions.

The step was taken to attract talented and experienced professionals to these new institutions.

"The cabinet today (Thursday) approved mobility of faculty and non-faculty personnel to newly established Central Educational Institutions (CEIs) and Scientific Institutions for a period up to 10 years on deputation basis," a statement issued after the meeting said.

The note said those working in central government or central autonomous bodies, including those already on deputation to these new institutions, will be allowed to work.

The statement also said the pay drawn by these faculty and non-faculty members during their deputation to higher scale of pay will be treated as "emoluments" for the purpose of calculation of pensionary benefits under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.

The government also clarified that the faculty and non-faculty members will continue to draw leave salary and pension contribution from their institutions and this burden would be borne by the new institutions.

The government said the department of higher education and department of science and technology will identify the posts in these new institutions.

More such new educational institutions of higher learning are planned by the government.