Drdo

Christopher lost his grip on DRDO top officials

March 5, 2018 Prabhu 3 Comments

To 5^th March 2018
Hon’ble Smt Nirmala Sitharaman,
Defence Minister,
104- South Block
New Delhi-110011

Subject: Dr Christopher lost his grip on DRDO top officials who leave no opportunity to show their illegal might even at the cost of the image & reputation of DRDO as an organization of MOD, Govt. of India.

Madam,

DRDO secretary Dr Christopher severely failed to manage DRDO HR problems. Everyday DRDO is witnessing the high level drama of unethical transfers and superseding games on the basis of linguistics or corruption equations. Can you believe that a Director General is fighting for his promotion in CAT, several scientists are victimized in the form of unjustified APAR numbers, DPCs for promotions have not been conducted in last two years on flimsy pretexts, Employees of DRDO are compelled to take the recourse of avoidable litigations on similar law points to unnecessary harass them, officials of DRDO are made scapegoats if they request for redressal of their genuine service matter grievances . if you ask DRDO scientists to write their grievances without any fear of any one to you then you will get flood of complaints regarding deliberately created HR problems in entire DRDO, MoD

Please ask Dr Christopher, how many cases are pending of sexual harassment in DRDO and for how long; how many cases are pending of SC/ST/ Minority commission harassment in DRDO and for how long. Interestingly the DG, HR in DRDO is a women but she is responsible for the delay in genuine sexual harassment cases like ITM Mussoorie, IRDE, Dehradun & prompt in pursuing the false sexual harassment cases made under conspiracy like sexual harassment case against Shri PARBIR Verma, Sc, F of DMSRDE, Kanpur, unjustified APAR Marks specially in the APARs of women scientists. Women Scientists are harassed on the basis of gender bias taking one or the other pretext like Scientist C’ of SAG, Delhi Sumitra Singh, ‘has been issued charge sheet for Major penalty in Feb. 2018 on trifling issue of proceeding USA to look after her ailing 05 years son before receipt of the N-O-C although she applied for N-O-C before her onward journey to USA.

28^th Feb at 5:40, a drama was witnessed by a number of employees of Joint Cipher Bureau, Office gate. Near Metcalfe House, Delhi showing entire DRDO in poor light . whistle blower Sh Prakash Singh, Senior Admin Officer Grade –I was illegally not allowed to enter the JCB, Main office campus, Delhi & he was even man handled by JCB security officers namely by Shri Dinesh Kumr & by Shri A K Mehta when he wanted to know the ground of banning his entry in the JCB, Main office Campus situated at Metcalfe House, Delhi. Sh Prakash Singh,Senior Admin Officer Grade –I wanted to go to attend a retirement party of his colleague Sh R K Sharma, Sc, D but Director Shri R K Jain gave oral Illegal instruction to security officers for restricting the entry of whistle blower Sh Prakash Singh in JCB, Main office, Campus , Delhi to humiliate him. The said Security Officers have become the conduit for all illegal acts & omissions of Shri R K Jain, present Director of JCB, Delhi & as a quid pro quo they do not need to do their Security duty at the mandated place which had already resulted in a stealing & house breaking incident in the office building of one of the sensitive Wing of JCB, Delhi situated in Delhi in the night of 30-03-2017 which further resulted in no work in the said sensitive wing of JCB, Delhi for last at least 10 months & formal F. I. R. has not been registered by either by Shri R K Jain ,Director, JCB, Delhi or by Shri A K Mehta, Security officer in this regard. Many complaints of corruptions against Shri R K Jain are pending in DRDO, Delhi without any action & an order passed by Shri Arun Jaitely, the then RM in June 2017 to initiate a disciplinary proceeding against Shri R K Jain in one another matter is kept dormant for last 09 months due to the reasons best known to the present Secretary himself.

Whistle Blower Shri Prakash Singh , Senior Admin Officer Grade –I, posted in Joint Cipher Bureau, DRDO has been illegally denied the entry in his duty place at JCB, Main Office, Delhi since 11-12-2017 to till to date to keep secret & concealed the acts & omissions of corruption deliberately committed by Shri R K Jain & by his coterie as reported by the Whisle blower twice in 2017 to none other than the Hon’ble RM . The whistle Blower Sr. A. O. Grade -1 has been hoping against hope for last more than 03 months to let the good sense prevail in the mind of Shri R K Jain ,aristocrat director of JCB, Delhi for his entry in his duty place . He has sought time to meet in this regard twice through his representations dated 19-12-2017 & dated 23-01-2018 submitted to the present RM but of no avail. he even submitted his representation dated 22-12-2017 to Shri Zakwan Ahmed, present DG (R&M) , DRDO HQ, N.Delhi but again of no avail. He even met 2-3 times to Shri Gopal Bhusan, present DOP, DRDO HQ & he also met present secretary, DDR&D on 03-01-2018 to redress his genuine service matter long Grievances & the Secretary even assured him to redress his Grievance mentioned in his representation dated 16-10-2017 with in next 15 days i. e. by 18-01-2018 but he did nothing to redress the service matter Grievances & to remove the deliberate illegality continuously committed in last 03 months in the form of illegally banning the entry of the whisle blower in his place of duty. The CVC advised the CVO of MOD thrice through its 03 O Ms sent in 2016 to the CVO, MOD to restore posting of the Whistle blower Shri Prakash Singh in LASTEC, Delhi against his 03 vindictive transfers issued in 2016 but the present Secretary, present & the then & present DOPs, DRDO HQ & the then & present DG (HRs) had not taken any action to protect the service interest of the Whistle Blower & to implement the Advice of the CVC. The Whistle Blower has been continuously harassed in one or the other form either by not assigning him his charter of duties or by restricting his entry in his duty place .The then RM considered Shri PRAKASH SINGH as Whistle Blower on the Advice of CVC & quashed the Major penalty inflicted upon him vide DRDO HQ Order dated 30-12-2012 on false charges . The then RM even ordered vide MOD ID No. PCto 470/ /DO(Vig)/2012 dated 19-10-2015 that those who trumped up false charges & committed a number of procedural irregularities with a single minded objective of harassing Shri PRAKASH SINGH , the then SAO-II needs to be identified & taken to the task for their mala-fide action.& action int his regard may be taken immediately & D(Vig) also be informed of the action taken in the matter on fortnightly basis. Stiil no action has been taken against any of the officials of DRDO, MOD as yet although the Whistle Blower submitted the names of 22 officials of DRDO, MOD vide his through proper channel complaint dated 28-12-2015 submitted to the then RM who illegally harassed him & the present Secretary , present DG (ECS), the then & present Director (Vigilance & Security) , DRDO HQ ,the then & present DOPs,& the then & present DG(HR) DRDO HQ, New Delhi during October 2015 to till to date have tried their best save the Prime Facie guilty officials of DRDO, MOD who illegally harassed the whistle blower.

07 confidential complaints submitted by the Whistle Blower in November 2017 to the present RM have been kept unactioned in DRDO HQ for last more than 03 months to demoralize the Whistle Blower. These facts speak volume about the state of affairs going on in DRDO, MOD particularly with regard to the HR matters.

The poor tax payer’s lakhs & lakhs of money is being wasted by this Director and Dr Christopher has no time to solve the issues.

Madam, as citizen of India it is not understandable why the HR practices of this premier organization are the way they are. Although our honorable prime minister already sensed in a first look that this organization Motto is “Chalta Hai” and the hundreds of court cases, neck deep corruption(specially please ask construction expenses year wise), highly prevailing nepotism (anyone can see the incompetent frog jumps) itself is self explanatory.

It is therefore requested, to honorable defence minister madam, since you also find some issues on your table, to kindly make a serious effort to improve the HR conditions in DRDO lest it goes to complete collapse.

With great hope, Jaihind

Regards

Prabhu Dandriyal,

21-Sunderwala, Raipur,

Dehradun-248008

Phone – 0135-2787750 | Mobile – 9411114879

Email – prabhudoon@gmail.com | website – www.corruptionindrdo.com

Another officials fight at DMSRDE, Kanpur.

Drdo

Rustom-II takes to skies as mystery over transfer of its project director continues

February 26, 2018 Prabhu 1 Comment

By Pradip R. Sagar February 26, 2018 THE WEEK
Over a month after ‘unceremonious departure’ of the project director of Rustom-II drone A.P.V.S. Prasad, DRDO on Sunday carried out test flight of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Challakere in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.

After the test, DRDO came out with a statement that a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV was “successful”.

However, colleagues of Prasad—“scientist-G”who was made project director of the Rustom-II UAV programme of DRDO in 2015—are still curious to know the reason behind Prasad’s sudden transfer from the project, which he actually revived. Insiders claim that Prasad’s departure was linked to his objection to the lobby, which was pushing for a particular engine for the Rustom-II. Rustom was being developed with an Austrian engine, but a few people in the organisation wanted to replace it with the engine made by an Indian firm, despite the engine’s failure to meet the ‘technical parameters’ to be used in the UAV.

Sensing foul play, Scientists Association of Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)—DRDO’s laboratory making the UAVs—has approached Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to look into the matter (copy of the letter is with The WEEK). Following the complaint, a discreet inquiry is being conducted by the intelligence agencies.

On January 16, 2018, DRDO’s headquarters issued an order for transfer of Prasad to an another DRDO lab on grounds of “public interest”. Incidentally, Prasad was honoured with the best scientist award in 2017.

According to the letter from the ADE association, Prasad, who was in the DRDO for over 30 years, was promoted as the programme director of coveted Rustom-II in 2015. He actually rejuvenating the project, which was lying in a pathetic condition, and within a year of taking over, he managed to carry out first test flight of Rustom-II, the letter reveals.

When contacted, DRDO spokesperson Manish Bhardwaj declined to comment on the issue saying “he was unaware of the internal developments”.

On Sunday, DRDO came out with a statement saying “DRDO successfully flew its Rustom 2 today at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga. This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine.”

Unarmed drone Rustom-II is being developed to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours, on the lines of Predator drone of the US forces.

According to the officials, Rustom-II is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads.

Drdo

DRDO successfully carries out test flight of Rustom-2 drone

February 26, 2018 Prabhu Leave a comment

PTI | Updated: Feb 25, 2018 , Times of India
HIGHLIGHTS
* Rustom 2 is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours
*Rustom 2 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads

NEW DELHI: India’s premier defence research institute DRDO today carried out “successful” test flight of its Rustom 2 drone, a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), at Chalakere in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.
Rustom 2 is being developed on the lines of predator drones of the US to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours, officials said.
“DRDO successfully flew its Rustom 2 today at its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) at Chalakere at Chitradurga. This flight assumes significance due to the fact that this is the first flight in user configuration with higher power engine,” a statement read.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the test flight was “successful” and all its parameters were “normal”.
Rustom 2 is capable of carrying different combinations of payloads like synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence systems and situational awareness payloads, officials said.
DRDO chairman S Christopher, its Director General of Aeronautical System CP Ramanarayanan, DG Electronics and Communication Systems J Manjula and other senior scientists witnessed the test flight.
The around Rs 1,500-crore UAV project was initiated considering requirement of the the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The UAV has been designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) of the DRDO, and aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd are its production partners.

Drdo

DRDO drone crash-lands on farmer’s land in Karnakata

February 23, 2018 Prabhu 1 Comment

TNN | Updated: Feb 22, 2018,

NEW DELHI: An unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) being tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) crash-landed on an agricultural plot in Nayakanahatti, near Challakere in Chitradurga district, about 200km away from the state capital.
The drone, which had a camera attached to it, was launched to keep a watch on the outer perimeter of the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range (CATR).
Sources said the aircraft took off from the facility and later lost contact with the command centre. No injury or damage was reported.

Drdo

India test-fires medium range nuclear capable Agni-II missile

February 23, 2018 Prabhu Leave a comment

Times of India, PTI | Feb 20, 2018,
BALASORE: India on Tuesday test-fired its medium range nuclear capable Agni-II missile with a strike range of 2,000km from Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast, defence sources said.
The trial of the surface-to-surface missile was conducted from a mobile launcher at the launch complex-4 of the integrated test range (ITR) at around 8.38am, the sources said.
The Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) has already been inducted into the services and Tuesday’s test was carried out by the Army’s strategic forces command (SFC) with logistic support provided by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), they said.
The 20-mt-long Agni-II ballistic missile has a launch weight of 17 tonne and can carry a payload of 1,000kg over a distance of 2,000km.
The state-of-the-art missile, already a part of the country’s arsenal for strategic deterrence, was launched as a training exercise by the armed forces, a DRDO scientist said.
Agni-II, a two-stage missile, equipped with advanced high accuracy navigation system and guided by a unique command and control system, was propelled by solid rocket propellant system, he said.
The entire trajectory of the trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and two naval ships located near the impact point in the down range area of the Bay of Bengal.
Agni-II was developed by the advanced systems laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories and integrated by the Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad, sources said.
The missile is part of the Agni series of missiles which includes the Agni-I with a 700km range, Agni-III with a 3,000km range, Agni-IV and Agni-V both having long range capabilities.
The first proto type of the Agni-II missile was carried out on April 11, 1999 and last launch was a user’s trial on May 4, 2017.

Drdo

DRDO testing drone falls in agricultural field in Karnataka’s Nayakanahatti

February 23, 2018 Prabhu Leave a comment

By Express News Service | Published: 21st February 2018
CHITRADURGA: A drone operated by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for surveillance crash-landed at an agriculture field belonging to Bangarappa of Doreyagalahatti village near Nayakanahatti of Chitradurga district on Wednesday morning.

The drone which was launched to test the capabilities of its surveillance from the Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range (CATR) of Challakere taluk took off well from outer perimeter of the range, but fell in the field at around 8 am said Bangarappa. This is the first time a drone fell down during the testing in Chitradurga district.

Scientists Saravana, Shivabalasubramanyam and others visited the crash site and collected the drone and other equipment and took it back to their centre.

The 20 kg weighing drone lost connection with the radar immediately after taking off from the testing arena and fell within a radius of three kilometers from the range in a Ragi field. However, no problems, loss of valuables or life has been reported.

Palamma, an agricultural labourer who was working in the field was shocked when the drone fell on the field. Speaking to Express she questioned, ‘I am still in a state of shock, if it fell on me what might be my fate?’.

‘When I was watering the Ragi plants, the drone came down very fast, I feared to its speed and ran for my safety,” she added.

Bangarappa said, “Falling of drone in my field has created a fear psychosis in me and my neighbouring fields. DRDO without consulting farmers is conducting drone testing programmes nearby the fields. They should consult farmers in future to avoid such accidents.”

If any casualties would have taken place during the accident who would have been responsible, he asked.

According to a scientist, the drone was fitted with a camera and was being tested to conduct surveillance on the borders to ensure that no intruders enter into the Indian territories. Immediately on knowing the failure of the drone, scientists and officials of the CATR arrived at the crash spot and collected the drone from the spot. Nayakanahatti police are investigating the incident.

Drdo

Who is Dr VK Saraswat, the new member of NITI Aayog?

February 13, 2018 Prabhu Leave a comment

Moneylife Digital Team

06 January 2015

Dr Saraswat, as former chief of DRDO has been also red-flagged by the Comptroller General of Defence Audit-CGDA over his several decisions that resulted in the Defence Ministry curtailing his financial powers

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) appointed Dr VK Saraswat as full-time member of newly established National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. Dr Saraswat is former Secretary of Defence (Research & Development- R&D), but is more known as one of the high profile former chiefs of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). However, his inning at the DRDO was marred by controversies resulting in the government turning down his extension. He was even awarded a jail sentence for contempt of court.

Dr Saraswat was the key scientist in the development of the Prithvi missile and its induction in the Indian armed forces.

A PhD in Combustion Engineering, Dr Saraswat started his career in DRDO in 1972 at Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), he was responsible for the development of the country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine, DEVIL. As Project Director of Prithvi, he steered the design, development, production and induction of the first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system into the armed forces. He is regarded as one of the key scientists in the team of former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who is said to have had a deep influence on Dr Saraswat.

He was conferred the Padma Shri in 1998. He was also conferred the Padma Bhusan by the Government of India in 2013.

However, his career was not without controversies. In 2012, Dr Saraswat took a stand contradictory to the then Army Chief, General VK Singh, who had labelled Tatra trucks as substandard. Talking about Tatra trucks at a press conference, Dr Saraswat had said, “Tatra truck is an outstanding truck…They have a very good cross country capability and can move at good speeds.”

Earlier in 2010 too, he had torn into the armed forces for failing to overcome their ‘temptation’ to induct latest imported weapon systems. Speaking at the National Technology Day in May where the then Air Chief Marshal PV Naik, Admiral Nirmal Verma and Gen VK Singh were also present, Dr Saraswat had said, “Services also must understand that while the temptation may be overwhelming to field proven, state-of-the-art imported systems, they too have a role to play in the country’s economic and industrial growth. No foreign system can be customised to completely address our long-term requirements.”

Interestingly, as of now, both Gen Singh and Dr Saraswat have become part of the Narendra Modi government. While the former chief of DRDO has become full-time member of NITI Aayog, the former Army Chief is the Minister of State of External Affairs and Minister of State (independent charge) for North East Region, in the Modi government.

In a September 2012 report, the New Indian Express had said, “…a nightmare was revealed recently when Defence Minister AK Antony ordered the Comptroller General of Defence Audit (CGDA) to do a secret audit of India’s equivalent of the futuristic workshop of James Bond’s ‘Q’ — the Defence Research and Development Organisation that goes by the handle DRDO.”

Quoting the CGDA, the newspaper had said, “DRDO has been developing equipment which is either sub-standard or have extended deadlines and additional budgets. Many of the projects have been sanctioned without the requisite government approval. Only 10% of projects have come to the Ministry for clearance. Corruption and nepotism exists in the upper echelons and there is an exodus of qualified scientists.”

“The CGDA has questioned why he (Dr Saraswat) granted Rs2.88 crore to a mathematics institute to develop a futuristic radar when its scientists are not even remotely connected with research relating to the project. Incidentally, Dr Saraswat is the president of the institute’s governing body. The audit also stated that the institute lacked expert manpower and started recruitment only after getting DRDO funds that were released without due diligence. A Dehradun scientific lab was granted Rs14 crore to develop a communication link, while the institute headed by Dr Saraswat was also sanctioned Rs2.98 crore to develop the same technology — it doesn’t have even basic facilities like computers for individual researchers,” the report says.

Although DRDO denied all the observations of the CGDA report, it affected the career of Dr Saraswat.

Drdo

RTI – CVO – MoD Regarding Inquiry Status of Corruption Complaints of DMSRDE, DRDO, Kanpur

February 8, 2018 Prabhu 1 Comment

To 8 February 2018

Shri H.M. Kundlia

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, Ex Director, DMSRDE, Kanpur and other scientists 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/2018/50290

Drdo

Army officers are in predicament or compelled position in DRDO

February 7, 2018 Prabhu 1 Comment

To 7th February 2018
Hon’ble Smt Nirmala Sitharaman,
Defence Minister,
104- South Block
New Delhi-110011

Subject: Army officers are in predicament or compelled position in DRDO

Madam,

In the name of Services Interaction, DRDO has service officers from all three wings of the armed forces. The officers are posted on a tenure basis.

It is observed that in DRDO more than 90% services officers are assigned logistic/ administrative jobs like Security Officer, Motor Transport Officer, Estate Manager, Material Management and managing scientists officers mess/canteen requirements, etc.

Since more than 30 years I have witnessed that scientists use these services to satisfy their ego issues and services officers for better APAR keep mum for the sake of their career.

Some smart services officers who are involved in DRDO’s scientists’ bluffer game are able to get permanent absorption in the organization and enjoy services as well as the scientist sticker.

But sincere services officers face a lot of embarrassment from the corrupt scientist herd. They faced unprecedented transfers in their short tenure, negative remarks on their service records only because they performed honestly the job assigned. For all these unfair means DRDO took help of senior services officers who are permanently absorbed and are enjoying all kinds of benefits along with the corrupt scientists.

Since the last 30 years, DRDO has not been able to quote a single services officer who contributed to any remarkable technical contribution to the nation through DRDO(except the services doctors).

The important part of these absorbed services officers is that they are promoted unduly fast without contribution to the nation or services. Only thing that they protect are the bluffers.

Only one example to prove the aforementioned is Maj. Gen. Ajay Gupta, present Director, VRDE, DRDO, Ahmednagar. If anyone sees his journey in DRDO, he will know how blessed the Maj. Gen. is because of saving culprit scientist as long as serving tenure, Director Vigilance, DRDO, HQ. Of the hundreds of complaints filed, he stopped or delayed himself. This itself reveals the truth about how corruption flourishes in DRDO with the help of service officers.

In DIPR, DRDO Group Capt. served continuous 8 years and again he got the posting in DIPR. This implies that he is very useful in research and contributing national or internationally or some linguistic connection is working.

It is not understandable that one side our honorable minister of state for defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre said in the Rajya Sabha that there is a shortage of over 9,000 officers in Indian Army & Navy and on the other hand DRDO is utilizing services officers in sundry jobs.

Please refer to enclosed DRDO, DOP letter no DOP/04/48013/01/Policy dated 30 September 2004 subjected “ Utilization of Services Officers Posted on Tenure Basis to DRDO”. Nothing has changed till date.

Please refer to enclosed RTI, RTI Reply, First Appeal, First Appeal reply of DRDO, which reveals the pathetic situation of service officers who want interview with DG, DRDO and are not able to know the interview request letter status.

It is not understandable how DRDO has become so powerful, which was created to strengthen the services instead of crushing their moral.

Jai Ho.

Regards

Prabhu Dandriyal,

21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008

Phone 0135-2787750, Mobile 9411114879

Email prabhudoon@gmail.com website-www.corruptionindrdo.com

Enclosed

Photo Copy of DRDO, DOP letter no DOP/04/48013/01/Policy dated 30 September 2004
Copy of RTI request, RTI Reply and reply of First appeal
Copy of DRDO, DOP letter no DOP/04/48013/01/Policy dated 30 September 2004