Category Archives: Drdo
Army’s fleet of Arjun tanks face technical issues; major proportion of 124 tanks in service not operational
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 30 Apr, 2015, 04.50AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Army is facing major technical issues with its ‘indigenous’ Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.
The Army, which reluctantly inducted 124 tanks from 2009, after the UPA government insisted that a token number have to be ordered to keep the tank development programme viable, has of late been having quality problems with the fleet.
The defence minister has been apprised of the issue. Sources said that the Army’s opinion is that while a large number of tanks are not operational due to technical defects, the fleet as such is not combat worthy due to reliability issues. “A number of tanks are not operational currently as transfer of technology (ToT) of several imported systems fitted onboard has not been done,” an Army official said.
The Army is surprised that quality issues have started arising even though the entire fleet came into service as recently as 2013 when deliveries ended. Given that the tanks are highly dependent on foreign equipment — 60% of the tank is imported — the failure to get maintenance technology means that the systems have to be sent abroad for even minor repairs.
It is believed that a meeting on the low serviceability rate of the Arjun fleet was conducted at South Block recently and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of the problems. The Army has identified 96 problems, including 18 major ones. The minister has been keen to increase the efficiency of existing platforms available with the military given that there is a paucity of funds to procure new systems.
In IAF, he has personally intervened to ensure that the availability rate of the Su 30 fleet improves by at least 10%. A similar approach is being taken for the Army too. DRDO is, meanwhile, working on the development of a successor in the form of the Arjun Mk II.
Dr A K Singh, DOP, DRDO – G-H Assessment date – 30th April 2015
Last year assessment list Dr. A K Singh name was added in third list for scientist G-H promotion. Since last more than 10 years he was engaged in only non scientific assignments.
Last year he was blessed by Sh Avinash Chander but now things are changed in DRDO.
As per sources in earlier all his assessment outside expert is always same person.
He has good proximity with Dr R K Jain, because both scratches each other back.
More than 80 % believes in Dr A K Singh capability of manipulation as per them he will get or manage promotion.
Rest 20% believes that Dr A K Singh’s days are over
No favorite Government
No favorite DG
No favorite CC HR only DHRD is underhand supporter
More than 22 complaints are pending against him
When he was CEPTAM Director he did lot of corrupt activity, people smells that one single village of Rajsthan more than half dozen candidates got appointment.
One driver till date is after him that he was recruited with Dr A K Singh’s blessing but now driver is suffering from Dr Malik’s CC R&D HR’s displeasure and Dr A K Singh mobile phone में ड्राइवर की डांट खा रहा है
Dr A K Singh giving illegal support to his sister Dr Shashi Bala, Director, DIPAS for harassing Dr Gausal Khan, Scientist, D, from NRI quota and a minority community, helping her maligning the image of DRDO. The ex SA specially given direction in Dr Gausal Khan case no intervention by DOP but DOP put his pet person Sh Rajiv Ranjan on the case.
if Dr A K Singh successes to get promotion then it means we have to fight with more strength to beat these kinds of corrupt officials.
Jai hind
The Recruitment Assessment Center, DRDO now become den of corruption.
To 30th April 2015 Hon’ble Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, Room No -104, South Block, New Delhi-110011
Subject: The Recruitment Assessment Center, DRDO now become den of corruption.
Sir,
When GOI gave approval to DRDO for Recruitment Assessment Center with the intention in 1984 that DRDO mission mode project will not suffer because of shortage of manpower.
Passage of time now Recruitment Assessment Center become den of corruption and the reason GOI approved this recruitment system get no result. Recently parliament witness that all core DRDO project are running unprecedentedly behind the schedule.
The numbers of complaints received against DRDO recruitments by MoD in past 10 years is clear cut evidence of RAC manipulations. Ex. Defence Minister already gave approval for CBI inquiry against 10 top DRDO scientists including two former DG. Unfortunately accused DRDO, DG, Dr. V K Saraswat who are also convicted by Madras High court also enjoying state minister post as permanent member in NITI Ayog.
Sir , please find the another example of Dr.A K Singh’s manipulation in recruitment of scientist. Today website received this letter and forwarding you for appropriate action to save premier defence organization from the clutches of corrupts.
Regards
Prabhu Dandriyal, 21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun – 248008 Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879, e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
Enclosed – Letter received by website on 30th April 2015
Jairam Ramesh’s pet project ‘Bio-toilet’ stands abandoned in Odisha
By Hemant Kumar Rout – BALASORE/BHADRAK Published: 14th August 2012 11:45 AM
Union Minister for Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation Jairam Rameshs’s ‘India Dream’ to free the country – the rural populace in particular – from open defecation, seems to have faced a setback with people unwilling to use DRDO made Bio-toilets raising a stink.
After launching the bio-digesters in Odisha’s Dhamra village, close to Wheeler Island from where India test fires its all long range missiles, the Minister on June 24 even called it no less important than the Agni missiles. Today, the bio-toilets stand abandoned. The villages are reluctant to use it claiming that they lack required facilities.
The e-age toilets were formally launched at a glittering function by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Dhamra in Bhadrak district.
While initially at least six bio-toilets, christened as eco-friendly loo (ELoo) were installed in five villages in Dhamra and Basudevpur areas, the DRDO had assured to install more such toilets along the 90-km Jamjhadi-Dhamra stretch. Though the DRDO claimed that these toilets were opened for public use after their successful trials in Siachen and Jammu and Kashmir, people here are not ready to buy it.
Malati Majhi, a villager from Dhamra said the toilet installed in the village lacks water supply and proper ventilation. “It does not have a window or a space for ventilation. As the inside area is inadequate, it is difficult to sit there. The toilet was used only for a couple of days after their installation. We don’t use it now for its stinking smell,” she said.
The Minister too had expressed his dissatisfaction over the lack of ventilation facilities in these toilets during the inauguration. The loos are so small and air-tight that a person feels suffocated after a few minutes. There is no system for air circulation as these are fully covered with fiber body.
The technology used to develop the bio-toilets is anaerobic processing system that treats excreta, typically with small volumes of flush water. This is usually a better process than the aerobic decomposition, which requires supply of oxygen either as compressed air or by agitation and process culminates into water and CO2.
The Bio-digester technology has been developed by Gwalior based Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) and Tezpur based Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) which claimed the ELoos can effectively function in extreme conditions and temperature ranging from – 6 degree C to 50 degree C.
As per the claims of the DRDO, there is a bio-digester underneath where the temperature is maintained at 5 to 30 degree Celsius and the Psychrophile bacteria break down the waste. There is no foul smell, disease-carrying organisms or solid matter. The bio-gas is released into the air continuously and the residual liquid can be drained without any ill effect.
A local Bikartan Behera said no such degradation is done here. “Every time bad smell is coming out from the toilet making it unviable for use. People have to carry water from a faraway place to use the toilet, which is not possible always. The facilitator needs to equip the toilet with water supply,” he said.
The villagers also have blamed the DRDO for poor quality installation work near Dhamarai temple as one portion of the toilet has depressed and its fiber body disfigured. A retired defence employee N K Sahu said the bio-toilets were first tried between 1993 and 1998. However, systems failed because of foul smell, breeding of cockroaches and flies, maintenance requirement, need for daily addition of bio-enzymes.
“But now though the DRDO claims to have used the bacteria Psychrophile in the toilets, but the loos should be made user friendly with spaces for ventilation and round-the-clock water supply. Or else it would be left unused,” he said.
Local defence officials though admitted the shortcomings in these toilets, but none agreed to comment on it. They said all the problems would be sorted out soon and more toilets installed in the area to curb the habit of open defecation.
‘Army Takes a Day to Reach where PLA Can Rush In’
By Express News Service Published: 28th April 2015 06:00 AM
NEW DELHI: Commenting on poor border roads connectivity, a Parliamentary panel has said that in the event of a war, the Army will take more than 24 hours to reach a border area where the Chinese PLA can arrive at in two or three hours. The Standing Committee on Defence, expressing serious concerns over connectivity to Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang area, hit out at the Border Roads Organisation and asked it to construct good roads, especially on the eastern front facing China, on a priority basis.
The report said the delay in the procurement process had affected the armed forces’ operational preparedness.
The Committee observed that the naval budget had declined from 18.14 percent in 2006-07 to 16.51 percent in 2015-16.
Raising the issue of repeated naval accidents, the panel said the promulgation of the standard operating procedure to check the spurt in accidents was “ineffective”. The panel observed that allocation for the IAF is approximately 70 percent of the projection.
The report also slammed the ministry over the gap between the sanctioned strength of active fighter aircraft squadrons and their actual number.
The report said that the position of expenditure up to the end of February 2015 for the Army, Navy and the IAF is Rs 14,843,37 crore, Rs 18,438.02 crore and Rs 29,682 crore against their revised estimates of Rs 21,933.54 crore, 18,507.07 core and Rs 33,710.68 crore respectively.
Revamp DRDO
The Parliament Panel on Defence has called for a “complete revamp” and reorientation of the Defence Research Development Organistaion DRDO) to allow active participation of the private sector. It stressed on the need for a “complete revamp and reorientation of how the DRDO functions” with a major suggestion being to encourage the active involvement of the private sector, universities, the IITs and IIS. They could play a major role in the resurgence of the DRDO, it added.
DEFENCE SECRET IN DANGER, DIRECTOR, DRL, DRDO, TEZPUR’s DIRECTOR SECRETARIAT MANAGED BY CONTRACTUAL LABOUR AS PERSONNEL SECRETARY
To 27th April 2015 Hon’ble Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister,Room No -104, South Block, New Delhi-110011
SUBJECT: DEFENCE SECRET IN DANGER, DIRECTOR, DRL, DRDO TEZPUR’s DIRECTOR SECRETARIAT MANAGED BY CONTRACTUAL LABOUR AS PERSONNEL SECRETARY
Sir, Yesterday (26th April 2015) The Sunday Standard first page news was “Defence Secret is in Danger”
In this reference, DRDO having lot of examples, DRDO is only one department where you can find contractual manpower above age of 70 or below 18 years. People may be think that because of their high skill expertise DRDO might been engage such manpower, but matter of fact this practice adopted DRDO is only for those who are having good number of secrets or having evidences of wrong doings of DRDO bosses.
In ASL you will find people working since last more than 10 years after retirements, scientists, Technical Officers, who are experts in manpower/ logistic manipulations while missile firing, even JCDA retired account officer etc who are expertise in bill clearance from CDA. These specialized contractual having good assets that can be verified by agencies.
One major observation on these contract appointments is the not following the proper police verification.
ACEM, Nasik campus one murder was done by a contract’s man who has criminal records.
HEMRL GOCO contract labor business, the police verification was done on single list basis one stamp of Thana solved the problem and best part of this these hundreds of contract labours handle the high class explosive TATB.
For example in ADE, DRDO. Bangalore more than 170 B.Tech contract employees are working in core area for mare Rs 12000 and same time scientists who are getting hefty salaries Rs 80000 to 1.5 Lakhs are looking stores /admin /horticulture /works / security /Library etc
This Mail received by website www.corruptioninddo.com on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 01:19:10 IP: 49.206.192.222
HELLO SIR
all of us know about DRDL it is a dream job org to every one. but please think about contract employees. My husband is also working in DRDO RCI he is engineering graduate. From past 2 years he is working but he is getting 14k. how we can Liv with family in Hyderabad and this year no increments… we are not dreaming about permanent job….. my small wish is to get better pay… for the same job a permanent employee getting nearly 4ok but contract employee getting only 12+.but work is same for both. am not asking to give 4o to contract people just i want to say please provide increments at least…this is not only my wish… i hope u can think & talk about this……….
if i made any mistake please excuse me….. Defence Minister Sir, hope you will take this above mail seriously
Following one example case of DRL, DRDO, Tezpur for your sharp analysis of this DRDO’s contract business.
- Sh.M.L. Roy is an ex-employee of Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur who superannuated on 31 Dec 2008
- He was posted at Director Secretariat as Personal Assistant/Personal Secretary to Director, DRL, Tezpur prior to his superannuation from DRL, Tezpur.
- Right from his superannuation on 31 Dec 2008, he was start working at DRL, Tezpur as contractual Laborer and posted at Director He is engaged in all sensitive work like computerized compiling of materials in Director’s Office, monitoring and maintenance of important files of Director Office which has already been mentioned in his contract.
- Since last 7 years continuously working in DRL, Tezpur as Personal Secretary (PS) to Director, DRL, and Tezpur by means of several private vendors / supplier/security agencies.
- M.L. Roy is presently of 65 +years age and not fit for this job as in this sensitive post any private contractual labour should not be appointed while several young skilled manpower is available in DRL, Tezpur.
- DRL, Tezpur having permanent staff Sh S K Sharma as PS ‘C’ but he was not assigned the right job.
- Interestingly Sh M L Roy working for Rs 5000 – Rs 6000 only as Jan 2015 Salary was Rs 5764.00
- Sh M L Roy working as mole for vendors, each and every file of procurements / recruitments/ transfer postings/temporary duties etc. moves from Director’s office.
Sir, it is requested kindly order for extensive survey of to explore the necessity of this contract business in DRDO. Because like Director, DEAL Sh R C Agarwal used these contract labour for kitchen gardening, to clean utensils, to wash his wife’s petticoats etc, when this issue published on website Sh R C Agarwal stopped using these labours. This British legacy are maintaining by DRDO directors and senior officers. I am enclosing two photographs of a contract labour is busy to wash his boss personal car in DRL, Tezpur campus
Jai hind
Prabhu Dandriyal,
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008 Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879, e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
Enclosed 1. DRL, Tezpur, contract bills in respect Sh M.L. Roy 2. Photographs of contract labour washing the personal car of boss
RTI MOD- ADE- Dr V Ramachandra, Sc ‘G’
To 27th April 2015 Sh A. M. Manichan, Under Secretary (IC-IV), CPIO, Ministry of Defence,Department of Defence, Sena Bhavan, New Delhi
Hello, Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in respect of representation submitted by Dr V Ramchandra, Sc G, ADE, DRDO Bangalore through CPGRAMS vide DDRDO/E/2015/00066 dated 8/4/2015, regarding, Harassment and torture in suitable work assignment.
As per today The New Indian Express Bangalore edition page 4 Director ADE P Srikumar said he was not aware of any such complaint.
The DOP letter no DOP/11/110/108/CPGRAMS/M/01 dated 9th April 2015 signed by Ms Mukta Chauhan, Dy Director (Pers) for staff grievances officer, DRDO
- Provide all action taken in this matter by ADE,DRDO
- Provide the date of receiving of above DOP letter by ADE Director, P Sri Kumar
- Provide Comment and action of P Sri Kumar, Director, ADE on subject matter.
Note the requested information is in larger interest because ADE is involve in very important projects and country is witnessing the unprecedented delays in LCA, Rustom and day to day corruption cases are coming up. If Dr V Ramachandra senior scientist is suffering from harassment torture then what about the junior scientists and technical staff, it is clear cut violation of human right. It is not single case earlier similarly Dr R K Gupta, Sc H, ASL, Hyderabad also sent representation to PMO.
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/2015/61052
Scientist Alleges Harassment, Knocks on PMO Doors
by Sharan Poovanna Published: 27th April 2015 06:02 AM The New Indian Express
BENGALURU: A senior scientist of a DRDO lab has knocked on the doors of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Defence Minister and Ministry of Defence among others over alleged harassment, torture and humiliation meted out to him by his superiors at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
Though he has complained to the authorities, no action has been taken. Meanwhile, Raghavan (name changed), the G-category scientist who has over 30 years of experience, authored 180 technical papers and worked on almost all Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) projects of ADE, remains without an assignment for the last four months.
In his complaint, Raghavan alleged that ADE Director P Srikumar is trying to push junior scientists (below G category) to senior positions before he retires later this year. In two letters dated 31-1-2015 and 31-3-2015, Raghavan has told the Defence Minister and DRDO headquarters that “In order to promote some inefficient and less experienced individuals, I have been pushed out of ADE work. This is done due to partiality and favoritism”.
On December 8, 2014, the ADE Director signed a directive attaching Raghavan to ‘Project Ghatak’ at Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a nodal agency for design and development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). But ADA has refused to accept the deputation as proper government approval and procedure was not followed, the scientist alleged.
When contacted, ADE director Srikumar said he was not aware of any such complaint. “This does not call for a story,” he said.
On April 9, the DRDO Director (Personnel) has forwarded the complaint back to ADE to resolve the matter. The status on the letter states ‘under process’.
“Since no justice is provided and harassment and insult continued, I made a formal representation to Director, ADE, ADG Aero, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri, and Defence Minister through letter dated 21.1.2015. Till today, my grievance is not addressed and sorted out,” he stated.
When contacted, ADE director Srikumar said he was not aware of any such complaint. “This does not call for a story,” he said.
the above statement of ADE director Srikumar – see the DOP letter on subject matter
Defence Secrets in Danger
By Pradip R Sagar
Published: 26th Apr 2015 06:00:00 AM -The Sunday Standard
It’s akin to contract killing of the country’s defence research establishments. With their easy access to classified and secret information, thousands of people working on contractual or temporary basis in India’s top secret defence projects have turned out to be the biggest threat to national security. A spate of arrests for spying has alarmed the government. But the country’s premier defence research agency—Defence Research and Development Organisation—has a strength of more than 50,000 temporary or casual employees who have complete access to all its classified and research activities.
The recent arrest of a photographer employed on contractual basis at DRDO’s Integrated Test Range in Chandipur (Odisha) for passing confidential information on various missiles test-fired from Wheeler Island to his ISI conduit in Kolkata has raised the alarm bells in the corridors of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Soon after, a contractual employee working for the MoD was picked up by the Delhi Police for espionage. The issue put South Block in panic mode and an alert was issued in March, which clearly said that ‘Contractual/ casual employees should not be posted in sensitive locations and not allowed to given access to the classified information’.
A senior defence ministry official recalled how a high-level inquiry was ordered during AK Antony’s tenure as defence minister in 2010 into the episode of giving out a critical missile design project to a private contractor by a top DRDO scientist.
Despite such cases in the past, over 55 laboratories of the DRDO, mandated to develop products and technologies to modernise our armed forces ranging from missiles to combat aircraft, have roped in over 50,000 casual employees to assist scientists. According to an insider, contractual employees are generally hired under two categories—technical and non-technical.