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FCC BUSINESS IN DRDO: CORRUPTION IN R&D OF BPJ AT DMSRDE, KANPUR

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To,                                                                                                                                  4th August 2017

Hon’ble Shri ArunJaitely

RakshaMantri, Bharat Sarkar

RakshaMantralaya,

South Block,

New Delhi-110011

Subject: FCC Business in DRDO- Corruption in DMSRDE, Kanpur by Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’

Sir,

As you aware there are several questions raised by honorable members of Parliament regarding corrupt practice complaints against DRDO Directors and senior scientist but unfortunately DRDO “pull the wool over MoD eyes” in the name of constitution Fact Finding Committees for such complaints. The fact is the committees chairman and members are always their yes man/chamchas. The reports generated after consuming months and months and as per designed by DG and his loyal coterie. CVO, MoD only busy with correspondences for several years in each case.

Sir, you just call a sample case from CVO, MoD on your table, will expose the modus operendi of these great manipulator scientists of DRDO. Whether case of R&D E, Ex Director Dr Guruprasad, Ex Director DMSRDE, Dr A K Saxena, Dr A K Tyagi, Scietist ‘G’, Ex C C &D, Dr Selvamurty and so many case are pending in the desk of CVO, MoD waiting for fake reports of FFIC’s and clarifications of show cause notices replies of DRDO.

Corruption and adoption of corrupt practices in routine office activities is inherent property of DMSRDE, Kanpur. Even after dozens of complaints on corruption to CVC and its slow motion action on these complaints, Hon’ble High Court Delhi Order in PIL WP(C) No. 3610/2015 dated 17 Dec 2015 and Show Cause Notices to more than 30 Scientists and officers of DMSRDE, Kanpur and approval of Charge Sheet under Major Penalty to Ex- Director Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena there is no fear in some daring Scientists of DMSRDE and once again Corruption started in DMSRDE, Kanpur.

The recent case is of Complaint dated 21 October 2016 by Shri K.K. Sharmaagainst Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’. As usual on receiving of complaint DRDO HQ constituted Fact Finding Committee (FCC) – Chairman Shri R.K. Sharma, Scientist ‘G’ , DPA, DRDO HQ.

The case relates to complaint dated 21 October 2016 sent by Shri K.K. Sharma, DMSRDE, Kanpur to Hon’ble RakshaMantri alleging corruption in procurement of material by using fake addresses of firms by Dr. R.K. Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’, DMSRDE, Kanpur in development of Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) GSQR 1318.

A File No. DVS/02/2039/P/22 was initiated in the matter and a revised report in accordance with Note No. 19 dated 09 March 2017 was seek by Director General (NS &M) and letter  was sent to Dr. N. Eswara Prasad, Director, DMSRDE on 21.03.2017 from Office of DG(NS&M).  He was asked to submit the revised report by 23 June 2017 vide DG(NS&M) letter No. DVS/02/2039/P/22 dated 19 June 2017.

As a matter of fact Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’ was Head of Composite Material Division and Project Head of Body Armour : Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) -GSQR 1318. He was removed from Head, Composite Division  and Shri A.S. Parihar , Scientist ‘E’ was made Project Head & Head of Composite Division by Director, DMSRDE under huge pressure of DRDO HQ. It is relevant to mention here that Show Cause notice has been issued to Shri A. S. Parihar , Scientist ‘E’ in Corruption matter of Dr. A.K. Saxena complaints and his promotion was also withheld by DRDO HQ for several months.

Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’ is still posted at DMSRDE, Kanpur and no action has been taken against him. He is having blessings of Dr. N. Eswara Prasad, Director, DMSRDE and enjoying at DMSRDE, Kanpur. DRDO HQ is trying to wash out the matter by its FCC business ( means submit fake FCC report and protect the corrupt) and adopting delay tactics in this complaint.

Sir, your Government is having policy of “zero tolerance” on corruption then why not any disciplinary action has been initiated since last 09 months of filing the complaint? I kindly request you to take urgent action in the matter and issue orders to immediate transfer/posting of  Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’ out of DMSRDE as he is affecting the inquiry and influencing the case due to his contacts at DMSRDE. It is relevant to mention here that Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tiwari, Scientist ‘F’ is posted at DMSRDE since the year 1990.

 

Regards

Prabhu Dandriyal

21- Sunderwala, Raipur

Dehradun – 248008

Mobile -9411114879

Email id prabhudoon@gmail.com, ww.corruptionindrdo.com

Enclosures:

  1. Hon’ble High Court Delhi relevant portion of Order in PIL WP(C) No. 3610/2015 dated 17 Dec 2015.
  2. Vigilance Clarence to Dr. A.K. Saxena dated 31 July 2015
  3. Letter DVS/02/2039/P/22 dated 19 June 2017 from Office of Director General ( NS &M), DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.
  4. Relevant portion (page 19-20) of noting approved by DG(NS&M) dated 21.03.2017
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Hon’ble Defence Minister is helpless in front of DRDO for continued deliberate harassment of Whistle Blower against constitutional provision

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Even  the present Hon’ble Defence Minister  is helpless in stopping the continued deliberate harassment meted out to the Whistle Blower of DRDO (acknowledged by the then Defence Minister) by the top management of DRDO HQ New Delhi & by his present Director of Delhi based lab of DRDO, MOD through the following acts & omissions.

  • Harassment meted out by DRDO HQ, New Delhi                                     
  • By non implementation of the advice of CVC issued vide CVC OM No 24571/2016/vigilance-9  19-04-2016 , O M No conf/6807/16/315999 dated  30-05-201  & O M No conf/1750/09/3201 dated  15-07-2016  to restore the posting of the whistle blower to LASTEC, Delhi even disregarding the  formal representation dated  16-06-2017 submitted by the whistle blower of DRDO in this regard to the present Secretary, DDR&D.                                       
  • By non conveying  of the  decision of the Hon’ble Defence Minister ( obtained from him by deliberately misleading him distorting the material facts) to the complainant whistle blower on his complaint/ representation dated 28-12-2015 submitted to the then Hon’ble Defence Minister to get implemented the decision of para 03 (three) of MOD decision conveyed to DRDO HQ vide MOD ID no PC to 470/ DO (Vig)/ 2012 dated 19-10-2015 against  22 prima facie guilty officials of DRDO who trumped up false charges & committed a number of irregularities with single minded objective of harassing the whistle blower  through their ibid mala fide actions.
  • By non communicating the decision of the Hon’ble Defence Minister, decision of the present secretary,  DDR&D,   decision of present DG (ECS),  decision of Shri V  P Dutta, the then Scientist ‘G’ of DEAL, Dehradun  &  Chairman & decision of Shri   A K Pandey    Scientist ‘F’ OF IRDE, Dehradun &  member of the committee appointed  vide DG ( ECS) order No DG ECS /ADM/12538/LASTEC/2015/PS   dated 13-01-2016 on through proper channel representation dated 18-03-2016 of the whisle blower of DRDO submitted to the then DG (ECS) of DRDO HQ &  copies also endorsed to Hon’ble Defence Minister  & all the above mentioned authorities of DRDO for  taking remedial actions.
  • By hatching a conspiracy to ultimately post  the whistle blower  in a  wing of a Delhi based lab of DRDO situated 15 kms away from the main LAB  where there is no  basic infrastructural  facilities & absolutely no work for the whistle blower in his sphere of duties where the the whistle blower  has been suffering unbearable miseries. This was done after doing the drama of taking the option of choice posting to LASTEC, Delhi from the whistle blower. 
  • By not processing & not redressing his any of the genuine service matter grievances on one or the other illegal pretexts submitted by the whistle blower of DRDO during the tenure of present Secretary, DDR&D.
  • By illegally getting rejected the issues raised in the pre litigation conciliation representation dated 26-11-2015 of the whistle blower of DRDO through the  false Recommendations of the  committed pre litigation conciliation committee Headed by Shri Sushil kumar Verma, Director, Cyber security & Scientist ‘G’ of DRDO HQ  prepared  by deliberately overlooking & ignoring the contents of the pre litigation conciliation representation dated 26-11-2015 of the whistle blower  & other letters submitted  by the whistle blower to Shri Verma.
  • The issues raised in the pre litigation conciliation representation dated 26-11-2015 of the whistle blower were finally rejected by the present Secretary, DDR&D By deliberately ignoring the material facts based on the record of DRDO & MOD  contained in the through proper channel representation dated 28-04-2017 submitted to the present Secretary, DDR&D.
  • BY rejecting  most urgent & most immediate through proper channel representation dated 28-09-2015  of the whistle blower of DRDO submitted to the secretary, DDR&D   in most arbitrary manner directly violating the standing provisions of grievance redressal policy of both Govt. of India & DRDO, MOD.
  • By not deciding through proper channel representation dated 29-01-2016 of the whistle blower of DRDO submitted to the secretary, DDR&D pertaining to deliberate illegalities committed in DRDO HQ continuously affecting adversely to the whistle blower of DRDO even till to date.                                                               
  • By not deciding & not communicating the final outcome of 02 (two) complaints of vigilance nature dated 04-07-2016 & dated 11-07-2016  to the whistle blower of DRDO even up to now submitted by the whistle blower of DRDO  to the present Cabinet secretary to the Govt. of India & to the Hon’ble prime minister of India  respectively which reached in DRDO HQ in 2016 itself for taking appropriate actions on the same.
  • Harassment meted out to the Whistle Blower of DRDO by present director of the Whistle Blower
  • By hatching a conspiracy to post the whistle blower of DRDO in one wing of the concerned Delhi based lab of DRDO Situated 15 kms from the main lab where there was no work for the whistle blower even  when whistle blower of DRDO was the senior most officer of the Admin cadre posted in that    Delhi based  main lab of DRDO to make him professionally obsolete..
  • By hatching a conspiracy not to nominate  the whistle blower of DRDO  in 2016 for the training programmes even run by govt. agencies free of cost directly  related & essential for enhancing the acumen of the whistle blower of DRDO in the sphere of his charter of duties as senior administrative officer , Grade –I  of Admin Cadre of DRDO, MOD.
  • By hatching a conspiracy by getting  Arbitrarily rejected  04  nominations  of  of the whistle blower of DRDO  pertaining to short term training programmes of the duration of one week or less period   to be conducted during the period from July 2017 to December 2017  by the Govt training Institute namely by ISTM, New Delhi free of cost directly  related & essential for enhancing the acumen of the whistle blower of DRDO in the sphere of his charter of duties as Senior Administrative Officer , Grade –I  of Admin Cadre of DRDO, MOD through  the  initial decisions dated 13-07-2017 of his immediate sub-ordinate scientist “G’ Shri Raju Agarwal without   any cogent grounds & thereafter he himself approved such arbitrary decisions to harass the whistle blower of DRDO .  
  • By not ensuring processing any of the service matter grievances of the whistle blower of DRDO with due diligence & giving full opportunity to the concerned officials to adopt dilatory tactics in processing the service matter grievances of the whistle blower of DRDO, New Delhi.
  • By compelling the whistle blower of DRDO to exclusively limit his charter of duties to open & close the one wing of the Delhi based lab of DRDO in which he has been posted.
  • BY Removing the whistle blower of DRDO from the hitherto duties of officer in-charge              (assigned to him on 23-08-2016) of the one wing of the Delhi  based lab of DRDO  vide order dated 25-07-2017 leaving him without any work & compelling the the whistle blower of DRDO holding the functional designation of senior Group ‘A’ Gazetted post of  Senior Administrative Officer , Grade –I  of Admin Cadre of DRDO, MOD to report to  one in situ promoted Scientist ‘D’ of DRDO who does not any competence to do any value addition in administrative work of the said wing & who  even insulted the whistle blower in the presence of his all junior  on 25-07-2017 on  official telephone saying that the whistle blower does not have any authority in  the said wing of the said Delhi based lab DRDO because we scientists can do anything to the whistle blower which seems to be true also considering the above mentioned acts & omissions by one of the senior scientist of DRDO holding the designation of scientist ‘H’ &  Director of the Delhi based lab in which the whistle blower is posted Who was  dare enough to conduct the illegal meetings of internal screening committee main for assessment of Scientists ‘Fs’ of DRDO  for assessing their suitability for the posts of Scientist ‘G’ under promotion quota  IN 2011 even before inception of the amendments in the concerned statutory nature of recruitment rules of Scientist ‘G’ in DRDO  while holding the appointment of Director , RAC, New Delhi thereby incurring the financial loss to the tune of 14 lakhs to the public exchequer for which some investigation has also been ordered by the DRDO/MOD ,still he does not hesitate to  continue harassing the whistle blower of DRDO.
  • By making Payments of the arrears of 7th CPC to the whistle blower of DRDO only in April 2017 whereas all other officials of DRDO got their arrears of 7th CPC in 2016
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3,600 Crores Later, Made-In-India Akash Missile Fails Tests, Says Auditor

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The Akash and its newer variant, the Akash Mk-2, are a medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles at a distance of 18-30 km.
All India | Written by Vishnu Som | Updated: July 28, 2017 18:41 IST NDTV

The Akash was produced by the state-run Bharat Electronics.

NEW DELHI: As many as a third of the home-made Akash surface-to-air missiles have failed basic tests, says the country’s national auditor, claiming the deficiencies of the missiles “posed an operational risk during hostilities.”

The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is a big setback for the Make-In-India initiative which seeks to reduce India’s dependence on imported arms. The report, given to parliament, says, “the missiles fell short of the target, had lower than the required velocity, and there was malfunctioning of critical units.”

The Air Force has refused to comment on the report.

The Akash was produced by the state-run Bharat Electronics. The auditor says that though 3,600 crores have been paid to the manufacturer, none of the missile systems are installed at the six designated sites even though it has been seven years since the contract was signed.

The Akash and its newer variant, the Akash Mk-2, are a medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to intercept enemy aircraft and missiles at a distance of 18-30 km. Tested extensively by the Indian Air Force, the Akash, which was first handed over in December 2008, was seen as a breakthrough indigenous system and in 2010, an additional six squadrons were ordered.

These additional squadrons, composed of missile launchers, radars, associated vehicles and hundreds of Akash missiles, were meant to be deployed at six air force bases in the East for which the government approved related infrastructure including storage facilities, workshops and ramp structures. These were supposed to be constructed by Bharat Electronics on a turnkey basis at a cost of approximately 100 crores. However, this infrastructure “could not be completed till October 2016 at any of the sites.” The auditor also says though work was nearly complete at two bases, the “IAF had not taken over these buildings because of defects in the construction, which rendered them unsuitable for strategic missile system storage. In other stations, the progress was below 45 per cent as of October 2016”.

While the missiles were indeed delivered to air forces bases between April 2014 and June 2016 after a delay of between 6 and 18 months, the missiles were found to be deficient in quality. According to the auditor, “Out of 80 missiles received upto November 2014, 20 missiles were test fired during April-November 2014. 6 of these missiles, ie, 30 per cent, failed the test.”

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PMO snubs DRDO over Peikarumbu expo launch

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By Pradip R Sagar | Express News Service | Published: 27th July 2017 08:57 AM |
Last Updated: 27th July 2017 08:57 AM
NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has snubbed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), when it requested Narendra Modi to inaugurate an exhibition planned at Peikarumbu, near the memorial of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam that would be opened on Thursday.

With most of the DRDO projects, ranging from Tejas light combat aircraft to long range surface-to-air missile systems, repeatedly missing deadlines and facing huge cost overruns, Modi’s outright rejection to inaugurate an exhibition at the venue of the memorial of a former DRDO is seen as his attempt to distance from the white elephant (DRDO), which often faced criticism. In fact, during his first interaction with DRDO scientists, Modi had sent a stern message to the agency for their ‘Chalta hai’ (lackadaisical) attitude.

The DRDO had planned an exhibition of its products with the theme ‘Science for Soldier and Society’ alongside the PM’s event, adjacent to Kalam’s memorial. Top scientists from its nearly 30 laboratories were engaged for this by the DRDO’s headquarters and its Bengaluru-based lab Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) was made event coordinator.

But much to their chagrin, the PMO not only turned down the request to ope the exhibition, but also denied permission to hold mega event close to the memorial. “Special Protection Group, the agency responsible for PM’s security, has refused permission for the exhibition adjacent to the venue,” said a top official.
Left with no options, the DRDO has moved the exhibition to Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, one of its labs functioning at Avadi in Chennai. DRDO chief S Christopher will inaugurate it on Friday.

When contacted, DRDO spokesperson Manish Bhardwaj refused to divulge the details. “Shifting of the venue happened due to space constraints,” Bhardwaj said.
According to a statement issued by the PMO on Wednesday, Modi will inaugurate Kalam’s memorial on Thursday morning and later flag off ‘Kalam Sandesh Vahini’, an exhibition bus which would travel across various states to reach Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 15, the birth anniversary of the Kalam.

The PMO also stated that Prime Minister will then proceed to Mandapam for the public meeting, where he will distribute sanction letters to the beneficiaries of longliner trawlers under the Blue Revolution Scheme. He will also flag off a new Express train from Ayodhya to Rameswaram via videoconferencing. Modi will release a synopsis of the Green Rameswaram Project and will unveil a plaque to mark the dedication to the nation of the 9.5 km Link Road on NH 87, which runs between Mukundarayar Chathiram and Arichalmunai. Modi will conclude his visit by addressing a public meeting.

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DRDO’s Agra lab spends Rs 49.50 cr, 6 yrs, in developing surveillance system which fails Army standards

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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.

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R&DE (E) refuses chariot for palkhi procession from Alandi

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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.

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Hotelier Narang sends notice to agencies in property case

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By ABHINANDAN MISHRA | New Delhi | 16 July, 2017 Sunday Guardian

    The notice sent by Sanjay Narang to Y. Ashok Babu

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.

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Situation of R&D in India and plight of competent scientists

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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.

Many times, the scientific instruments are purchased, not based on utility, but their higher prices – because higher price gets more “commission”

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.

Drdo

‘Nirbhay failed due to use of recycled material’

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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.

Appeal to clean DRDO of corrupt and anti-national officials