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Duma must reconsider bill reforming Academy of Sciences in second reading - academician

Head of science committee of the Education and Science Ministry Alexei Khokhlov calls the bill unfinished

MOSCOW, July 10 (Itar-Tass) - The State Duma must reconsider a bill reforming the Russian Academy of Sciences in the second reading, said academician Alexei Khokhlov, who heads the science committee under the Education and Science Ministry.

“There are certain positive trends in the second version of the bill. However, it still remains unfinished and should be elaborated and the State Duma should consider it anew in the second reading taking into account critical importance of this reform for further development of science and education in Russia,” he said.

According to a statement issued by the science committee on July 9, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences reiterate inexpediency of their mechanical unification.

Moreover, they insist that regional branches of the Russian Academy of Sciences should retain their status of legal entities and self-government.

“The third reading envisages only minimal adjustments, therefore we will insist that our interests should be taken into account by the State Duma and the bill should be reconsidered in the second reading,” Khokhlov said.

The science committee under the Russian Education and Science Ministry was set up in April as a consultative body.

The bill reforming the Russian Academy of Sciences has been adopted in two readings and experienced over 60 amendments.