Arvind Chauhan | Jul 24, 2017, 10:01 AM IST
AGRA: The Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), spent Rs 49.50 crore to develop a balloon-based platform for surveillance and communication, but failed to meet Army standards after years of work, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
For the project, ADRDE also imported special fabric worth Rs 6.20 crore but never used it during trials of the system. Last year, CAG rapped ADRDE for failing to produce combat free fall (CFF) parachutes for special forces in more than a decade after incurring expenses of Rs 10.75 crore.
According to the report, the ministry of defence sanctioned a technology demonstration project, ‘Nakshatra’, to ADRDE in July 2011, to develop an aerostat platform with net payload capacity of 300 kg and an endurance of seven to 14 days, with balloon life of four to five years.
“Based on the earlier experience with ” — another medium-size aerostat developed by using polyurethane (PU) coated nylon fabric, the ADRDE decided to use laminated fabric, which was supposed to double the endurance of the aerostat to two weeks and shelf life from 18 months to 4-5 years. Therefore, the ADRDE imported laminated fabric at the cost of Rs 6.20 crore,” stated the report.
“Interestingly, the imported laminated fabric was never used and the DRDO lab used only PU coated nylon fabric for the balloon. Later the project was shut down in January 2017, as the Army did not accept the product, incurring a loss of Rs 49.50 crore to the exchequer,” the report added.
Speaking to TOI, public relations officer S M Jain of ADRDE said, “The project was a complete success. We tested the technology of ADRDE at Gurdaspur, Punjab, close to the India-Pakistan border in 2016. Further, the Army demanded that the trials be extended for two more years at various locations close to international borders, but they didn’t give us more funds to conduct the trials. So the operational feasibility of the system was never tested and the project was shut down.”
ADRDE officials also claimed that the balloon made of laminated fabric was kept as a spare and would have been utilised in case of any damage to PU coated nylon fabric balloon.
Army officials however said that the system trials of ‘Nakshatra’ were only carried out for three days. “So the effectiveness of the communication sets loaded on the balloon could not be ascertained. We requested ADRDE to deploy the system for three months to test its efficacy, before we could take over the system for extended trials,” an official said.
Only a few countries in the world have such systems of their own, including the US, Germany, France and Japan.
All posts by Prabhu
R&DE (E) refuses chariot for palkhi procession from Alandi
TNN | Updated: Jun 5, 2017, 08.01 AM IST
PUNE: The Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory, has decided to not provide its chariot for the annual Sant Dnyneshwar Maharaj palkhi procession that will be began on June 17.
Recently, an official communication in this regard was sent to the Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Trust (SDMST) in Alandi, which manages the procession.
Confirming the development, SDMST president Ajit Kulkarni said, “We have received a communication from the Research and Development Establishment (E) authorities stating that the chariot will not be given for the procession henceforth. They have not specified a reason. It is their entirely decision.”
According to Kulkarni, the particular chariot had been used for the procession between 2013 and 2015. “Last year, the laboratory’s authorities had cited that there was some technical glitch in the chariot and hence they could not provide it. Since the chariot is in their possession, we were not aware about its actual status,” Kulkarni added.
On June 13, 2012, a bullock drawing the chariot had died near Phulenagar at Vishrantwadi on the Pune-Alandi road. The weight of the old chariot was one of the reasons cited for the death. The chariot weighs about 4 tonnes.
Following the episode, the trust had requested authorities to construct a special, lighter chariot. Then Research and Development Establishment (E) director R Guruprasad sought requisite permission from the scientific adviser to the defence minister and took on the project
Commenting on the functioning of the chariot, a SDMST member said, “The new chariot was lighter and they had developed a mechanism wherein the battery-operated chariot would draw power when it traveled uphill and got charged while going downhill. Thus, reducing the bullock’s burden.”
Other members of the trust pointed out that the DRDO’s chariot had helped complete the procession smoothly. “Thousands of devotees would get injured as their legs would come under the wheels of the old chariot. But, the DRDO chariot had reduced this risk ,” a trust member explained. When contacted, Research and Development Establishment (E) director VV Parlikar refused to comment on the matter.
Hotelier Narang sends notice to agencies in property case
By ABHINANDAN MISHRA | New Delhi | 16 July, 2017 Sunday Guardian
Notice to whistleblower raises questions about secrecy.
The whistleblower in the Sanjay Narang property case in the Landour cantonment area of Mussoorie has been served a notice by Narang, raising serious questions regarding the government’s onus to maintain confidentiality of such complainants, who have often been attacked.
Narang has served a notice to Y. Ashok Babu, estate officer of the Institute of Technology Management (ITM), which is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), asking him “to either substantiate with evidence the allegations made by you, or to unconditionally withdraw these allegations within seven days, failing which I reserve my options open to file a case against you personally for defamation under section 499/500 of the Indian Penal Code, as your letter to the CVC/CBI (and circulated to the media) was sent by you in your personal capacity”.
A copy of the notice has been forwarded to the DRDO, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and multiple departments under Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Sunday Guardian also has a copy of the same.
Ashok Babu had earlier filed a complaint with the CVC seeking a probe into the irregularities regarding Narang’s properties which are located in the sensitive area of Landour cantonment and adjacent to the ITM laboratory.
Ashok Babu had pointed out that several commercial establishments were running in Landour, allegedly without permission, and they posed a security threat to the defence establishments. He had stressed that this could be “bigger than the Adarsh housing scam”.
The Ministry of Defence was forced to take stock of the situation at the Landour cantonment. The CVC had asked for comments from all departments concerned. A fact-finding mission comprising senior officials of the department of defence estates had visited Landour later. Narang has stated in his notice: “I have been questioned by the CBI and the officials of the Cantonment Board Landour (CBL) based on the false complaints made by you against me and by your action of feeding completely false information to various media outlets. The purpose of this letter is to place on record the correct facts pertaining to each of your allegations made to the CBI, CVC and media.”
Reached for comments, Ashok Babu, while acknowledging that he had received the notice, said that the “matter was sub judice”.
Sources close to him said the whole development was a matter of great concern for whistleblowers. “How can the content of a complaint filed by a government servant with the CBI, Ministry of Defence and the CVC reach a private individual, an individual against whom the complaint is filed? A senior government servant is being threatened with a notice for whistleblowing against corruption,” an official source said.
Situation of R&D in India and plight of competent scientists
The following article written by DR BHAGWAN D AGGARWAL, a biomedical scientist and a healthcare industry consultant with significant international experiences at pharmaceutical consulting companies and global research institutions, published in dailyO on 4th June is perfect picture of today R&D scenario of India.
We are daily witnessing such worth of 1000 of crores scientific instruments purchasing not based on utility, but their higher prices – because higher price gets more “commission” and exhaust the budget. If GOI investigate sincerely, then only one organization DRDO can fetch 50000 crores rupees instruments which are lying idly without any use in more than 50 labs.
I’m a scientist. I returned from US to find why India can’t become a superpower
It is high time not just to make additional policies and regulations, but to disrupt the prevailing complacency, harassment and corruption.
DR BHAGWAN D AGGARWAL – 4th June 2017, daily O
India is still lagging behind in scientific research by every metric of productivity and quality.
No doubt, investment and salaries have increased significantly in research in recent years, but still not sufficient to make an impact.
The prevalent dismissal working conditions, harassment and gross mismanagement that I experienced, could be the main reasons.I would like share my experiences.
I returned to India in 2009 after working for eight years in the US, and three years in Europe at some of the best research institutions and universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, ICGEB (Trieste, Italy).
I published several papers in the best peer-reviewed journals. Though, my salary in India was meager, I was happy to return and contribute.
I tried very hard to fit in at my institute and the organisation to deliver my best in research, teaching and training activities, but unfortunately, I did not get any support from anyone in my endeavors.
I was working in a national institute of occupational health but, ironically, the working conditions were dangerous and unhealthy. For instance, carcinogen-laden UV helmet was unmarked that I used unknowingly for months, open and unsecured blood contaminated and bio-hazardous waste.
The lab facilities such as culture lab was locked for weeks and the imaging microscope was locked for years. Even my office cabin was locked for years and I was forced to use a small instrument lab (for PCR and molecular biology) as my office. I did not get my requested instruments (basic and low cost) for four years. I was denied PhD guideship, though I had several peer-reviewed research publications, PhD from JNU, New Delhi (the premier university of India) and 10 years of research experience at the best institutions.
I was denied an opportunity to present my research at the Gordon Conference even though my paper was accepted with financial assistance, and my applications for collaboration were delayed and denied.
I faced many hurdles from the administration such as no account of expenditure was provided after repeated requests. And when I tried to organise workshops or training seminars, I was forced to deal with petty issues.
I raised all these issues to the highest level (from the director of the institute to the director-general of my organisation) but no action followed. Only the harassment continued.
Still, I kept trying for almost five years, but only to get more stressed and frustrated.
At last, I resigned but my resignation was labelled as “conditional” and I was subjected to further harassment by sham investigations and inquiries and, at one point, I was intimated to surrender my passport.
My job applications to other government agencies were blocked to cause serious damage to my career and my research. I feel betrayed by the system back home.
Finally, I left the country and came back to the US.
I may not be the only one, there may be many more who returned to India and got their talent wasted and might be feeling the same way as I do.
Although, I worked in one of the most stressful and unhealthy work environments in my research career, but still I had some satisfaction of training and educating young minds and delivering lectures.
In hindsight, I think it was the students’ affection and their keen desire to learn which kept me motivated during those five years. I witnessed the worst management with no accountability and pathetic apathy.
This might be the case in most of the institutions barring only few. Many times, the scientific instruments are purchased, not based on utility, but their higher prices – because higher price gets more “commission”.
Less than 10 per cent of the instruments are ever utilised with less than 1 per cent instruments’ lifetime use time, especially for expensive equipment (Rs 5,000,000 (about US $80,000) or above).
The prevalent mismanagement, corruption and stressful and unhealthy work-environment are wasting the talent and scarce resources of a poor country and bleeding the science.
I believe whatever small percentage of the GDP India is spending on science, most of it is a waste.
Mismanagement and stressful work environment discourage any scientist or researcher to do any meaningful and quality research.
Most of the top leadership of research institutes /organisations such as directors, director-generals, vice-chancellors are appointed in their mid-50s (55+) who worked (tolerated) in the same system for 20-30 years.
This type of leadership is complacence and they are afraid to take any risk, which could jeopardise retirement or post-retirement career.
Institutions do not have any transparency, accountability and/or established grievance resolution process. Notoriously delayed justice (of 15-20 years) through judicial courts is only encouraging this practice.
Policies and regulations do not work in absence of good people to implement and enforce. It is high time for India, not just to make additional policies or regulations, but to disrupt the prevailing complacency and culture of mismanagement, harassment and corruption in institutions by recruiting the best scientists in their mid-40s from outside of institutions, as leaders with “animal spirit” (as Dr Manmohan Singh, former prime minister, used to refer to).
These young leaders can take risks to challenge the complacency and change the prevailing culture of corruption and harassment in institutions to bring the much-needed “disruptions” to boost productivity and quality of research in a country of billions.
‘Nirbhay failed due to use of recycled material’
Sumit Bhattacharjee – VISAKHAPATNAM, JULY 01, 2017 – THE HINDU 
Sub-sonic cruise missile will be ready by month end, says DRDO chief
The fourth test of Nirbhay, the long rage sub-sonic cruise missile that is designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), failed on December 21 last year because of use of faulty material, said Chairman of the DRDO and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D S. Chirstopher here on Saturday.
Speaking to The Hindu after inaugurating a workshop on indigenous lithium-ion batteries for special applications, hosted by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratories (NSTL), the DRDO chief said, “The fourth test of the missile took place from the Launch Complex-III of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Balasore in Odisha and after lift-off the missile developed snags over one of its wings, started to bank on one side and veered dangerously. We had to activate the ‘self-destruct’ mechanism to kill it mid-air. On investigation, it was found out that the vendor who manufactured it used recycled material for one of the key components that operates the wings of the missile and that was the reason why it failed. The strength of the recycled material was not sufficient to operate the parameters. Though the vendor followed all specifications, the use of re-cycle material was not disclosed.”
But, according to Dr. Christopher, the same vendor had been told to produce another one ‘free of cost’ under the same specifications but without any short-cuts. “Everything was right in the missile, only this faulty material caused the failure. But now it will be ready by July end or August and we shall go for the fifth test,” he said.
Nirbhay is an all-weather, low-cost, long-range sub-sonic cruise missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads and is considered to be a strategic weapon.
Roadmap
Pronouncing the roadmap, Dr. Christopher said once the test was successful they would identify the production partner whom they referred to as strategic partner and would go for further variations. “It is a guided missile and right now there is no problem with the path in the higher altitude. But there are some glitches in the lower altitude and we will be working on the seekers for pin-point accuracy. The missile should be ready by next two to three years,” he said.
According to him, the DRDO is working on the strategic partner model who would have stake in the production. “This will make the agency responsible and we will get rid of the tendering process for every small thing. There may be multiple indigenous strategic partners for each of our weapon and defence systems,” he pointed out.
On the naval variant of Tejas–Mark II (light combat aircraft), Dr. Christopher said the prototype was ready and had fullfilled the parameters of ski-jump on board aircraft carriers. But the Navy had been insisting on twin engines and they were working on the power of the engines. “We are also looking for strategic partners and the partner may be a foreign firm that would provide back-end support,” he said.
The DRDO chief sounded very enthusiastic about the indigenously built AEWACS (Airbone early warning and control system). “We have already inducted one indigenously built system and it is flying from Bhatinda.”
In total, they intended to induct 15 AEWACS and of them five would be from Israel and the remaining indigenous ones.
Of the indigenous ones, two would be smaller ones mounted on Brazilian Embraer-145 jets and the remaining would be on Airbus 330. “We have already received the order for six from the Indian Air Force and the negotiations with Airbus is in the final stages. The indigenous ones will have all the features of the Israeli make so that there may not be two teams operating on two different makes,” said Dr. Christopher.
Making Money in DRDO – A simple guide for Dummies
More stern and steadfast our honorable PM Modi ji becomes to eradicate corruption, more derisive and deceitful DRDO officials become to devise novel methods to siphon off public funds. They are least bothered about propriety or financial prudence in handling public money; on the other hand, they have mastered expertise of the methods to simply transfer funds for non-existing civil works and projects. They are so audacious and open in corrupt practices, at the end of the day they cock a snookat the ever struggling government. They have forgotten their duty to serve the nation and more afflicted with desire for power, pelf and perks and deep in corruption.
One of the civil works wing in DRDO, namely, CCE(R&D) is made for, made by and made of DRDO Scientists,is well known for making money out of nothing. Many government departments indulge in corruption by 30 to 40 %;but, here’s a department expertise in making 100% money for fictitious work. The steps followed by Bangalore based Dummies Guru and his stooges (Aka Alibaba and Chaalis Chor) are given below:
Step 1: Decide how much public funds to be siphoned off and create a fictitious work. Identify a subordinate office with Amiable Docile Employees, who will not question any atrocious attitude of Dalal (of corruption) Guru, who is basically heading a bunch of Audacious Egoistic Reckless Officers.
Step 2: Make a statement of case for this subordinate officer without their knowledge whatever crude way, as those sitting in higher office will not scrutinize the case. The sanctioning authority needs just one paper mentioning amount with signatures, no need to be clear about scope of work, building, work site etc.
Step 3: Move papers secretly without finance concurrence as the work referred is to another organization, this civil work was never existed.Get sanction of work to ever obliging Project Management Office and funds bypassing finance with audacious change of code head from revenue items into capital items (like staircase railings are shown as capital items and there is no need for finance concurrence up to 1.2 crores) and take sanction from DRDO top within this limit.
Step 4: All documents and work fabricated, silently work completion certificate created and funds transferred to predetermined contractor.
Step 5: After sharing booty, all gangster of gangs, celebrate the event watching a movie titled Hum Sab Chor Hai.
In this sample case, A Pretending Nangnaach Timid fellow, who helped earlier his boss, who was Master of Self Certification and fake doctorates in obscure topics, in escaping from the hot wheels taxi misuse case, is again at his old games. He sells himself to be tool in creating non-existing works, fabricating statement of case and obtain surreptitiously sanction for a work. He has heisted the heinous crime on non-suspecting Amiable Docile Employees of another organization. This is a case of blatant misuse of power and fraud on the system. This person even today shamelessly used taxi every day morning and evening from his house to office and back at the official cost while taxi will run vacant two times about 35 to 40 km just to take care of him.
The above example of clearly shows how these greats are at play in obtaining sanction for non-existent works with least respect to the rule book (surprisingly quite often emphasized by own vigilance division), that too for the fabricated work for the other organization. This is especially true for CCE (R&D) which is run by DRDO scientists and any time at the beckon of DG’s and those at HQr. They can do anything and get away with public funds running into lakhs and crores.
It wouldn’t be far off from truth that these worthies, the so called upholder of discipline and legitimate rights to rule DRDO (as per their wish and whims), have mastered the methods to circumvent the well laid down procedures in the system and financial controls to siphon off the public funds with impunity. Now, see the fun, once this report on the ice berg of systematized corruption is out, these dalals of corruption will, instead of retrospection and correction, start witch hunting because how dare someone can question top person indulging in money making business.
Jai ho DRDO.
CVO, MOD, RTI regarding Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena
To 5 June 2017
Sh. H M Kundaliya
U/Secretary & CPIO
Room No – 340, Office of Director of Vigilance
B- Wing Sena Bhawan
Rajaji Marg, New Delhi -110105
Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in respect of complaints against Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena, Director, DMSRDE, Kanpur and as per CVC the complaints has been sent to CVO, MOD for further action, with reference No. 1323/2014/Vigilance 9, 3617/2014/Vigilance 9, 5022/2014/Vigilance 9, 13248/2014/Vigilance 9, etc.
- Please provide the present status of all my complaints received by your office till date from CVC.
- Please provide the copy of replies received from DRDO by CVO, MOD in respect of my complaints.
- Please provide the copies of your forwarding letter to DRDO in respect of my all complaints.
Regards
Prabhu Dandriyal
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008
Phone – 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879,
e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website – www.corruptionindrdo.com
Registration Number MODEF/R/2017/51358
Hyderabad: Colonel arrested for sexual assault
Victim was warned not to inform anyone
DECCAN CHRONICLE.
Published May 17, 2017, 1:54 am IST
Hyderabad: A 44-year-old Army Colonel who sexually assaulted a 19-year-old girl and impregnated her was arrested by Cyberabad Police. Police said Rishi Sharma, serving at Defence Research and Development Organisa-tion (DRDO), assaulted the girl four months back. The issue came to light when her mother found that the girl was pregnant.
According to police, Sharma is deputed as administrative officer at the DRDO Shameerpet unit and residing in the army quarters. The girl’s mother (45) is communication manager in a Central government agency and residing in Upperpally. The woman is separated from her husband and is living with her daughter and son who are studying engineering and intermediate respectively.
Two years back, Rishi met the woman at a function and befriended her. Gradually their friendship grew leading to an illicit relationship. Rishi would come to her home twice a week and would often sleep in the same house. In January, the woman went to visit her ailing mother in Nellore district in AP which Rishi was aware of. After she left, he went to her house and spent some time with the two kids. Later he dropped the son to college on his bike and returned to the flat where the girl was alone.
“He sexually assaulted the girl and warned her not to tell this to anyone, threatening her of dire consequences. Rishi continued to visit the house to meet her mother, but the girl was scared to speak out,” Rajendranagar inspector V. Umender said.
A week back, the girl developed some health complications and was taken to a private hospital. The doctors found that she was pregnant. On questioning by her mother, the girl told her everything. When Rishi came to know that the girl had spoken to her mother, he warned them not to reveal to anybody and threatened to kill them. But the girl’s father came to know about the issue and pressurised the woman to lodge a complaint. Based on her complaint, police registered a case for rape and arrested Sharma on Saturday and sent him to judicial remand. Police have written to the Army authorities about the incident and the arrest.
डीआरडीओ में तैनात सेना का कर्नल दुष्कर्म के आरोप में गिरफ्तार
By Kishor Joshi Publish Date:Wed, 17 May 2017 02:46 AM www.jagran.com
हैदराबाद (पीटीआई)। हैदराबाद पुलिस ने सेना के एक अधिकारी को दुष्कर्म के आरोप में गिरफ्तार किया है। सेना के अधिकारी पर 19 वर्षीय युवती के साथ दुष्कर्म करने का आरोप है।
आरोपी ऋषि शर्मा कर्नल रैंक के अधिकारी हैं। हैदराबाद के समीप शमीरपेट में रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास संगठन (डीआरडीओ) में वह प्रशासक के रूप में प्रतिनियुक्त हैं। पीडि़ता के परिवार की शिकायत पर पुलिस ने उन्हें सोमवार को गिरफ्तार किया। स्थानीय अदालत ने उन्हें न्यायिक हिरासत में जेल भेज दिया है। राजेंद्र नगर थाने के निरीक्षक वी उमेंदर ने यह जानकारी दी।
दर्ज कराई गई शिकायत के मुताबिक, इसी वर्ष जनवरी में शर्मा की युवती के साथ दोस्ती हुई थी। उसी महीने एक दिन शर्मा युवती के घर पहुंचे। उस दिन वह अकेली थी। शर्मा ने उसके साथ दुष्कर्म किया। उन्होंने युवती को इस बात की जानकारी किसी को नहीं देने की धमकी दी थी। परिवार की शिकायत पर सोमवार को मामला दर्ज कर लिया गया। चिकित्सकीय जांच में पीडि़ता गर्भवती पाई गई है।
Colonel held for sexual assault of student in Hyderabad
By Express News Service | Published: 17th May 2017
HYDERABAD: An army Colonel working in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was arrested by the Rajendranagar police on charges of raping and impregnating a degree student.
The officer maintained relationship with the girl’s mother, who has been living separately from her husband. The accused officer has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on Tuesday.
According to police, Colonel Rishi Sharma (44), was working as an administration officer at DRDO. During the course of time, he developed proximity with a woman from Upparpally in Rajendranagar. The woman has been separated from her husband for around three years.
The woman was living along with her 19-year-old daughter and elder son. About four months ago, when the girl’s mother went to Nellore in AP, Colonel Sharma allegedly used to visit their house in Upparpally on the pretext of helping the children and dropping them at college, said the police.
“One day, after dropping the girl’s brother at his college, the Colonel went back home and raped the girl. He threatened the girl to not reveal to her mother. The woman noticed the unusual growth of her daughter’s stomach and took her to a hospital where she learnt that her daughter was pregnant. She lodged a complaint based on which colonel Rishi was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on Monday,” said the police.