Scholars working for defence sector to be paid $1,000 a month

President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of the presidential Council for Science and High Technology, that he would instruct the Cabinet to boost monthly grants for scholars working for the defence sector up 20,000 to 30,000 rubles ($700-1,000).

"We should focus on the industries that need state support in the first instance, i.e. the defence sector," said President Putin.

The president said that earlier grants had been paid to famous music bands and athletes, while it was time to determine the procedure of awarding and paying grants to scholars.