By Pradip R Sagar Published: 29th December 2014 05:59 -Indian Express
NEW DELHI: The DRDO has refused to give out any information regarding making of a ‘chariot’ for a religious function.
The Express, in its report on dated 23 November, had exposed that a Pune-based DRDO laboratory Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) had developed and donated a hi-tech chariot to a temple.
DRDO’s Hi-Tech Chariot
This shocking piece of information came out after a young scientist of the same laboratory decided to rebel against this absurd venture and moved the Bombay high court and even the CVC. The DRDO developed the hi-tech chariot and ‘donated’ it to Alandi Temple, Pune.
The young scientist had to pay for raising his voice. The DRDO has not only stripped him off from the ongoing projects, but also transferred him out from the centre, where he is being left to waste.
A day after the Express report, a former DRDO scientist moved an RTI to the Ministry of Defence for seeking details of the government sanction to the DRDO for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and allocated budget for the same.
But on December 18, the R&DE (Engineers), in its reply to the RTI, had stated, “The DRDO is placed in Second Schedule of the RTI Act, 2005 and exempted from disclosure of information under Section 24(1), except information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human right violations.”
The Section 24(1) of the RTI Act exempt security and intelligence agencies specified in the Second schedule to disclose such information. “This information, which I have asked for, has nothing to do with the national security and intelligence framework. But, the DRDO is using this as a shield to suppress information related to corruption in the organisation,” the scientist (identity withheld) told Express, who filed the RTI in the matter.
Dr. S Guruprasad, Director of the R&DE, Pune, had told Express that they had built this battery operated chariot in an year’s time and the DRDO had carried out the project under the head of the CSR. R&DE Pune has a mandate to design and develop Combat Engineering Systems, such as Military Bridging and Mine Warfare Systems, development of Field Defence Systems and NBC Collective protection Shelters, design and development of Weapon Launch System such as Prithvi, Agni, BrahMos, AD, MR-SAM and Nirbhay.
While numerous DRDO projects such as the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Nag missile, long-range surface-to-air missile and Airborne Early Warning and Control System have been delayed, and have cost much higher than their original estimates, expenses on such a ‘religious’ project have raised many eyebrows.
Its public money used unjudiciously but you can not ask question regarding its misuse…thats DRDO..if someone asks, entire system starts ruining his career…proud on DRDO.
This is very bad corruption system in DRDO. mostly the Director R&DE Pune was support to the corruption work. as per CVC guideline without tender who to purchase the silver by Director R&DE pune. Who many kg silver purchase by the R&DE pune ? it’s like a father’s property of Dr. S Guruprasad, Director R&DE Pune
CBI rid on all DRDO lab & seal all tender document and ask all Q to corrupt officer.
Dear PDD Ji,
Send one RTI to CBI & CVC to collect the information about Hi-tech Chariot and display on public domain. it is very big corruption and drdo working on uncontrol corruption it is poor tax payer money think about it now PM also watch this case.
This line was a father’ property of DRDO read the following line and send dust bin.
“The DRDO is placed in Second Schedule of the RTI Act, 2005 and exempted from disclosure of information under Section 24(1), except information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human right violations.”
This is for Director HEMRL PUNE your officer was working behind the CVC Order
No.005/VGL/4
Government of India
Central Vigilance Commission
*****
Satarkta Bhawan, Block ‘A’,
GPO Complex, INA,
New Delhi- 110 023
Dated the 1st September 2006
Circular No. 31/9/06
Subject: Posting of details on award of tenders/contracts on websites/bulletins.
******
The Commission, vide its orders of even number dated 16.3.2005,28.7.2005 and 20.9.2005, had directed all organisations to post every month a summary of all contracts/purchases made above a certain threshold value on the websites of the concerned organisations, and it was specified that the proposed threshold limits would be acceptable to the Commission as long as they covered
more than 60% of the value of the transactions every month in the first instance, to be revised subsequently after the system stabilized. The threshold values as decided by the organisations, were also to be communicated to the Commission separately for its perusal and record. CVOs were required to monitor the progress in this regard and ensure that the requisite details were posted regularly on respective websites. They were also required to incorporate the compliance reports in this regard in their monthly reports.
2. The Commission has taken serious note that the aforementioned instructions are not being adhered to by the organisations. CVOs are, therefore, once again advised to ensure that details of the tenders awarded above the threshold value by the organizations are uploaded in time on the organisation’s official website and are updated every month. The position in this regard should be compulsorily reflected in the CVOs monthly reports to the Commission. CVOs should also specifically bring to the notice of the Commission, any violation of this order.
3. Please acknowledge receipt and ensure due compliance.
(V.Kannan)
Director
(i) All Secretaries/CEOs/Head of Organisations.
(ii) All Chief Vigilance Officers
These people shud b sent behind bars..