It should disturb us all gravely that a motorised battery-powered chariot is the level of “technology” the DRDO feels proud to pass on.
25-11-2014
SHIV AROOR @shivaroor
I love this story. Everything about it numbs the brain. What I love best about it is that nobody could have made this up: An Indian military laboratory tucked away in a leafy Pune neighbourhood, tasked with building combat support vehicles, has built and supplied a gleaming battery-powered rath to the grateful Alandi Temple nearby. Correct. A chariot. For a temple. You see what I mean? Can’t make this stuff up.
Details sometimes kill a great story. In this case, they really crank up the W-T-F value.
The story emerged on the front pages of the New Indian Express which reported that the rath was built at a cost of Rs five crore and “donated” to the temple. The laboratory reportedly explained that the work was done as “seva” and that a scientist who apparently blew the whistle on what he felt was a totally improper use of public money and laboratory resources, was shunted and buried in a lower profile role in Nashik. The clincher now, the NIE report says, is that the Bombay High Court has stepped in and ordered the DRDO and MoD to explain what this rath business is all about. I know nothing beyond what’s been reported, so I decided to poke around. When I called a DRDO spokesperson asking him what the fuss was about, he fobbed me off. “It was done as seva. What is wrong if some military research helps some civilian cause also?” he asked. Well, plenty, I thought, but decided to sit on it. Let’s see just how farcical this can get. Other than a little hilarity and outrage on Twitter, the story hasn’t turned too many people on. That may change if the DRDO decides to officially comment.
First off, only an idiot would hope to find any justification at all for a public-funded combat vehicle research lab spending any resources (money, man-hours that could be better spent, materials, electricity) on a rath. Second, excuses like “seva” etc don’t hold. If the rath project eats into laboratory time or resources even slightly, it’s unacceptable. Period. Three, inappropriate diversions of this kind are an insult to the hundreds of DRDO scientists actually doing stellar, quality military research, even at the same laboratory. Indulgences of this kind hurt the reputations of scientists who have to work harder just to make up for the incompetence, laziness and vacuous sahib culture of their colleagues. Finally (and this is my favourite reason) it should disturb us all gravely that a motorised battery-powered chariot is the level of “technology” the DRDO is dabbling with and feels proud to pass on. As someone on Twitter pointed out to me, a small group of engineering kids could have built the thing in two months or less. (Less. Definitely less. Have you seen the stuff engineering students make these days?)
The Bombay High Court has better things to do than intervene in preposterous issues of this kind, but I for one would love to know how this one plays out, especially since the DRDO chief himself has been asked to explain. The DRDO chief is a good man, a strong missile scientist, who I hope will send out the right message. Because for far too long, the DRDO has gotten away never having to explain itself, always shielding itself with a pretend-patriotic forcefield, crying foul at the slightest criticism and accusing its detractors of being anti-nationals.
“Not just high-altitude chikki”. That was the title of the final column I wrote for the Indian Express before I left in 2007. The column welcomed a rare formal awakening within the government about the need to completely overhaul and reinvent India’s doddering, plagued and villified Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). The government’s decision to find ways to kick the DRDO into a shape was, if not directly a result of, at least catalysed by a relentless eight-part series that the Express had frontpaged just days earlier, carefully picking apart the breathtaking incompetence and sense of entitlement that had allowed the DRDO to balloon into a nightmarishly out-of-control and wasteful organisation. The title of my parting column was a reference to the mind-boggling products the DRDO found (sigh, and still finds) the need to expend its energies on, instead of focusing on giving India its basic weapons. (The DRDO’s Defence Food Research Laboratory in Mysore actually researches, among other things, stabilised chikki and cashewnut burfi for troops at high altitude). DRDO chief at the time M Natarajan had written an letter to all employees asking them not to be affected by the “malicious news columns” that seek “distract us from our goal of self-reliance”.
Comment Writing about DRDO for almost exactly ten years now, the one thing I’ve noticed is that hilarity about its misadventures always diffuses into anger. The truth is, the organisation has nobody but itself to blame. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi chastised the DRDO at a public event, informing it that the world wouldn’t wait for it, and that delays in crucial weapons projects was unacceptable. The DRDO has enjoyed “friendly” defence ministries in the past, notably under AK Antony. Modi has signalled that the time for fun and games is over. The message is simple: That’s public money you’re using. Soldiers need the stuff you make. You don’t have a moment or a rupee to waste. Get your shit together. Now.
very very gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!
The main reason is the ‘no transfer’ policy of DRDO that enables even people like babu’s and chaprasis to remain in one lab for 30 years. They get ample chances to play around the system and harass honest employees by building their network with senior scientists. Junior scientists are treated badly by these people as they are close to seniors who use them to do the dirty job liking fixing contracts, conduiting bribes.
Juniors are given shitty jobs so that they get frustrated and start co operating or leave the job and run away. A core group of 5 scientists should be formed for every project who will get longer tenures and the rest should be transferred every three years. There is no such technical requirement to keep scientists in a project till the time they die otherwise the project will not work. Anyhow most of our projects are eyewash and carried on for decades so that money inflow is there.
If the seniors want to keep all oldies who have one leg in the grave, then why dont find ‘anti aging and anti death’ vaccine so that they can be on the payment roll of DRDO rather than doing ‘research’ on Chikki, biryani and mosquito cream. It is sad to say after doing a B.Tech. in first class from a world class instittute we are told to read the copied ‘research’ papers of the senior scientsts made for getting fake Phd.and educate ourself.
Govt gives scientists a world class environment. You move any lab accross the country you will find 5 star guest houses well equipped residential areas. CSD canteen facilities medical facilities over and above the CGHS. And a very excellent promotion scheme such as FCS. A deserving scientist must be given all such facilities which officers and employees of other govt org may envy. but, alas! Scientists in DRDO love administrative job. You may find a number of scientists either full time or part time in engaging in administrative jobs such as purchase, security finance, admin etc. While in the lab they waste their time in admin job. when they will not find time for scientific work then one can easily imagine what will be the output. The more shocking aspect of this scenario is the scientist engaged in admin work get faster promotion under FCS than the hardworking real scientists thus demotivating the latter class.
What RM will do? I think he is an IITian and a good human being. I am sure both of these aspect of his personality will prevent him to take strong measure becuase many of senior scientists are IITians, IITians share strong sentiments with each other. So as long as Mr Parrikar will be RM. DRDO scientists (The present senior lot) will have “Ächche Din” but will it be same for DRDO, I doubt.
What PM will do? PM has so far proved that he is a tough guy and mean business. He has been tough against govt servants. He has already given message to DRDO scientists. So if he will use his own judgement over the time DRDO may come out cleaner and focussed. But the present lot of senior scientists of DRDO is expert in manipulation. They will use all kind of connection even at RSS level to prevent harsh action against themselves and will try to maintain the status quo.
But one thing I can guarantee that We the citizens will continue to expose any misuse of public fund, diversion of fund for what it was given and will not allow to spend public money as one’s own money.
Sheikh shahib very good observations, true scenario of DRDO Labs, and regarding IITians equestion every one thinking in same line we hope Mr Parrikar can see the corruption and shishya angle and for sake of national interest will take good decision.
There is hardly any scientist from IITs (B.Tech). Which IITian would like to join DRDO when they are offered 10 times more in private sectors? Also facilities like CGHS etc. mentioned are pathetic…
CORRUPTION. CORRUPTION
FOLLOW THE LINK & CHECK YOURSELF
1. http://www.scribd.com/doc/248471729/MAIN-PO-Copy-for-ASL-by-BEL-pdf
2. http://www.scribd.com/doc/248474412/PO-Copy-issued-to-BEL-Dec-2013-by-SPIC-pdf
3. http://www.scribd.com/doc/248475083/Comparison-of-BEL-Bangalore-Purchase-pdf
http://www.scribd.com/doc/248535594/Unscrupulousness-by-BEL-SPIC-DRDO
Please Save India From Corruption.
Scams Bigger Than 2G And Coal
Silent & Regular Corruption Going On In SPIC DRDO
Involment Of Officials Of BEL, Bangalore & Renowned Scientist Of SPIC DRDO
Immediate Intervention In This Matter Is Required
Loss Of Hundreds Of Crores Going On If Nothing Is Done To Stop This
http://www.scribd.com/doc/248927353/CORRUPTION-EXPOSED-BETWEEN-SPIC-DRDO-LAB-BEL-BANGALORE-pdf
TO,
DEFENCE MINISTER
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
104 SOUTH BLOCK,
NEW DELHI
Dear Sir,
CORRUPTION EXPOSED BETWEEN DRDO LAB HANDLING VERY STRATEGIC LOCATIONS OF INDIA. THE SCIENTIST ALONG WITH A DEFENCE PSU IS LOOTING PUBLIC/NATION MONEY FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
THEY JACK UP THE PRICES BY 400% AS THERE IS NO QUESTIONING OF THE DEFENCE PSU. THE SCALE OF CORRUPTION IS BIGGER THEN 2G AND MANY OTHERS SCAMS.
WE HAVE SEEN EARLIER THAT DEFENCE PSU HAVE BEEN BLAIMED FOR MISUSING PUBLIC MONEY.
SEVERE PENALTIES SHOULD BE DONE ON PSU BHARAT ELECTRONICS LTD, ITS EMPLOYEES AND SCIENTIST FROM DRDO SPIC DELHI.
SCIENTIST FROM SPIC DRDO NAMELY-
JEYASHANTHI
SANJEEV SINGH
DEEPAK VINODIA
MAJINDER SINGH
SURYAPRAKASH
NAVEEN KUMAR
VENKATESAN RAMSAMY
VS CHAUHAN
THESE SCIENTIST ARE LOOTING NATION MONEY THRU CORRUPTION EVERY DAY. MANY EXAMPLES ARE BEING STATED BELOW AND ALL OF THE OF GRAVE IMPORTANCE FOR COUNTRY SECURITY AGAINST ENEMIES.
SECURITY BREACHES AND 100 OF CRORES OF NATION MONEY THRU WORKING MODEL WHICH IS EYE OPENER FOR ALL TO SEE.
INFOTRACK PVT LTD OF HYDERABAD DOING MULTI CRORES SCAM IN SPIC DRDO, THERE IS ONLY ONE ENGINEER OF THIS COMPANY NAMED KS(K SRINIVAS) WORKING AND SITTING INSIDE SPIC DRDO DELHI, VIOLATION OF ALL SECRET REGULATIONS.
THIS PERSON IS MOVING FREELY WITH THE SECRET DOCUMENTS CARRYING PEN DRIVES, DATA OF SECRET NATURE OUTSIDE SPIC DRDO DELHI FOR NEGOTIATING WITH THE COMPANIES.
THE MOST STRANGE PART IS THAT INFOTRACK PVT LTD GETS PROPRIETARY ORDER FOR A PROJECT COMPLETED IN 2009 ALREADY. TILL DATE ORDER IS RAISED TO THEM. THIS PERSON AND HIS COMPANY COMMITS TO VENDOR FOR GOOD BUSINESS AND SETTLE COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF SCIENTIST.
THIS PERSON ALSO CONFIRMS TO PEOPLE THAT HE IS ORIGINAL GENERATOR FOR SECRET KEYS AND CODE FOR MISSILE LAUNCH WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
THE ORDER GIVEN TO THIS COMPANY IS BEING JUSTIFIED BY THE SCIENTIST WHO ARE ACTUALLY WORKING ON HIS PAYROLL.
SCIENTIST NAMELY
VIKAS KUMAR,
MANISH SAHA,
MANISH CHETIWAL,
SATPAL GAUR,
KANISHK SINGH,
DHEERAJ KUMAR
WHO CLEARS THIS PERSON FILES AND TAKES 50% COMMISSION.
IT IS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS PERSON IS GIVEN CLEARANCE TO ATTAIN SECRET DOCUMENTS AND CODES.
IS OUR DEFENCE INCAPABLE OF HANDLING SUCH SECRET DOCUMENTS AND CODES FOR MISSILE LAUNCH.
THIS PERSON FOR LAST 4 YEARS NEGOTIATING ON BEHALF OF BHARAT ELECTRONICS LTD BANGALORE & SCIENTIST FOR MANY PURCHASES.
THIS PERSON IS APPROCABLE FOR ALL LEVEL OF SECURITY BREACHES OF THE ORGANIZATION SPIC DRDO.
ANOTHER MAJOR SCAM THAT SPIC DRDO SCIENTIST WORK OUT IS BETWEEN BHARAT ELECTRONICS LTD BANGALORE AND SPIC DRDO DELHI.
THE WORKING MODEL
THE SPIC DRDO LAB IN DELHI PROVIDES IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS FOR STRATEGIC SITES IN INDIA WHICH ARE DIRECTLY UNDER PMO.
THERE ARE MANY PMO AWARDEES SCIENTIST WORKING.
THE SCIENTIST CREATES A REQUIREMENT OF ITEMS AND TAKES QUOTATION FROM COMPANIES OR THERE AGENTS IN INDIA. THEN THEY ASK THEM TO INCREASE THE RATES AND QUOTE TO BEL BANAGLORE.
BEL BANAGLORE THEN ADDS ANOTHER PERCENTAGE AS THEIR PERSONAL COMMISSION. AFTER THE ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE BEL BANAGALORE THEN SELLS THE PRODUCTS TO SPIC DRDO AT 400% OF ACTUAL COST OF THE ITEMS.
COMPARISON CHART FOR NATION TO UNDERSTAND. THERE ARE HUNDRED OF ORDER RAISED TO BEL BANGALORE ON PRETEXT OF DEFENCE PSU. NO COMPETITION IS CREATED FOR BETTER RATES.
PUBLIC MONEY IS LOST AMOUNTING TO 1000’S OF CRORES OF RUPEES BETWEEN SPIC DRDO AND BEL BANGALORE.
BEL BANGALORE DOES NOT SUSTAIN ANY OPEN TENDER BUSINESS AS THEY CANNOT EARN COMMISSION IN DEALS AND ALSO GET BUSINESS AT SAME TIME.
ITEM SOLD BY BEL EARLIER AS PER ASL COPY ATTACHED TO SPIC DRDO ACTUAL COST IN 2011 AND PRESENT – THE ONLY THING MATTERS IS DOLLAR CONVERSIOM RATES SOLD BY COMPANY (COMTECH EF DATA) TO BEL IN YEAR 2014 –BILL OF ENTRY DETAILS ATTACHED EARLIER IN DOCUMENT WITH BILL OF ENTRY NUMBER SOLD BY BEL TO SPIC IN DECEMBER 2013 ONWARDS. DRDO(PAPER ATTACHED FOR YOUR VERIFICATION) DIFFERENCE OF AMOUNT THAT NATION LOSSES ON EACH ITEMS SOLD BY BEL TO SPIC DRDO PRESENTLY QTY WHERE DOES THIS EXTRA AMOUNT GOES
COMTECH EF DATA MODEM DMD 20 WITH THE SPECIFICATION THAT SPIC DRDO BUYS Rs322743.00 US$ 3500 7500US$ Rs 6,50,000.00 Rs 4,50,00.00 40 LOSSES TO EXCHEQUER/NATION IS RS 1.80 CRORES IN ONE DEAL ALONE .
SPIC DRDO BUYS SEVERAL TIMES IN A YEAR FROM BEL BANAGLORE SAME ITEM AT DIFFERENT COST. SURPRISING SAME ITEM IS SUPPLIED AT DIFFERENT COST TO BEL BANGALORE AT DIFFERENT COST EVERY TIME.
THE MAX SELLING RATES OF SAME DMD 20 MODEM TO BEL BANGALORE IS US$ 11000.00
IT IS DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN BEL & SPIC DRDO BY MANISH KATYAL OF COMTECH EF DATA
SURESH KATYAL, PANDURANGA RAO, RAJENDERWALEIN, GURURPRASAD BOLAR , OZA NILESH, CP SURESH, NRIPENDRA SRIVASTAV, DEVINDRMACHITGUPPA, RAMESHAN P, PRANESHAR, PARVATI, AMARNATH TEWARI ANDMANY OTHERS
SPIC SCIENTIST- JEYASHANTHI & TEAM MEMBERS, NAVEEN KUMAR, SANJEEV SINGH AND OTHERS
COMTECH EF DATA MODEM DMD 20 WITH THE SPECIFICATION SAME AS ABOVE
TO ISRO AHEMDABAD. DMD20-45 DMD20 RADYNE SAT.MODEM 17-Apr-2012 Qty 15 pcs RS 1,65,129.00 THIS MODEM WITH SAME CONFIGURATION PURCHASED BY ISRO AHMEDABAD IS VERY LOW IN PRICES AS SHOWN IN THE COMLUMN, PROOF FOR BILL OF ENTRY SHOWN FOR ISRO AHEMDABAD. THE PRICES ARE 100% LESS THEN COMPARED TO BEL BANGALORE PURCHASE FROM COMTECH EF DATA USA.
PURCHASED ON 17TH APRIL 2012 @ RS 165129.00. BY ISRO AHEMDABAD
YOU CAN SEE THE COST DIFFERENCE IN THERE 2011 PURCHASE, THEN 2013, 2014. THESE INFORMATION ARE ALL AVAILABLE ONLINE.
MATCH BOX BLOCK UP CONVERTOR MBB-KUE040 WAVESTREAM
SOLD BY GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS US$9000 OR LESS . 14000.00US$ 13,76,000.00 8,54,000.00 5 TOTAL LOSS TO EXCHEQUER Rs 42,70,000.00 (Rs FORTY TWO LACS SEVENTY THOUSAND ONLY)
IT IS DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN BEL & SPIC DRDO BY VINOD KAUL OF GILAT SATELLITE NETWORKS INDIA.
BEL BANGALORE SURESH KATYAL, PANDURANGA RAO, RAJENDERWALEIN, GURURPRASAD, OZA NILESH, CP SURESH, NRIPENDRASRIVASTAV, DEVINDRMACHITGUPPA, RAMESHAN P, PRANESHAR, PARVATI, AMARNATH TEWARI AND MANY OTHERS
SPIC SCIENTIST- JEYASHANTHI, NAVEEN ,SANJEEV SINGH AND THERE TEAM MEMBERS
REDUNDANT SWITCH RCS 11 1300.00US$ 3500.00US$ 304917.00 Rs2,30,000.00 10 LOSS TO EXCHEQUER FOR RS 23,00,000.00
IT IS DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN BEL & SPIC DRDO BY MANISH KATYAL –COMTECH EFE DATA
BEL BANGALORE SURESH KATYAL, PANDURANGA RAO, RAJENDERWALEIN, GURURPRASAD, OZA NILESH, CP SURESH, NRIPENDRA SRIVASTAV, DEVINDRMACHITGUPPA, RAMESHAN P, PRANESHAR, PARVATI, AMARNATH TEWARI AND MANY OTHERS
SPIC SCIENTIST- JEYASHANTHI, NAVEEN, SANJEEV SINGH AND THERE TEAM MEMBERS
ELEVATION MOTOR BY VENTURE MANUFACTURING —- 450.00US$ 450.00US$ 8,72,098.00 Rs8,50,000.00 A Rs 25000.00 WORTH OF MOTOR WAS SOLD TO SPIC DRDO FOR Rs 8,72,098.00
TOTAL LOSS Rs 42,50,000.00(Rs FORTY TWO LACS FIFTY THOUSAND ONLY)
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE AND WHY IS THIS POSSIBLE.
COMTECH EF DATA HAS SOLD SAME ITEM TO BEL AT 4 DIFFERENT PRICES. THIS IS SHOCKING AS A US COMPANY IS DOING MANIPULATIONS IN INDIA, BUT THE US COMPANIES IS ALSO A PART IN LOOTING NATION MONEY AS WHEN OVER PRICING IS DONE BY THE OEM LIKE COMTECH EF DATA THEN THEY ALSO TAKE EXTRA COST.
IT IS PUBLIC MONEY WHICH IS BEING LOOTED.
WE URGE THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA TO LOOK IN TO THIS AS THIS DRDO SPIC IS HANDLED BY PMO DIRECTLY.
THEY HANDLE VERY SECRET PROJECTS AND PROVIDE SECRET LOCATION OF INDIA TO WORLD.
WE CAN PROVIDE ENDLESS COMPARISON FROM ACTUAL DOCUMENTS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEM.
THE PURCHASE SHOULD BE ON COMPETATIVE BASIS. AT THE END IT IS NATION MONEY WHICH IS BEING LOOTED.
JAI HIND