by Pranav Kulkarni | New Delhi | Published on:April 1, 2015 1:49 am – The Indian Express
Two months after it sacked Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander, the government has denied extension to a top DRDO scientist. Bikash Bhattacharya, who was on his first extension as the director of Pune-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), retired Tuesday. Besides him, the government in the past six months has denied extension to at least three top DRDO scientists.
While Chander was sacked unceremoniously citing the need for appointing younger scientists, the Modi government has on several platforms made public its intentions to streamline DRDO.
Sources in DRDO said the HEMRL director’s extension was recommended by Chander and was considered by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC). It was, however, rejected by the government “about 10 days ago”. Bhattacharya was formerly associated with ISRO.
Bhattacharya, 62, who took over as director, HEMRL on September 11, 2011 was already on one extension after he completed 60 years on March 23, 2013. As per DRDO’s existing promotion policy, two extensions are permitted for a tenure of two years after the scientist completes 60 years, the retirement age.
Bhattacharya is the fourth scientist to have been denied extension by the Modi government in the past six months. Others who were denied extension are directors of Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE), Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) and Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) — M P Kaushik, V C Padaki and Venkatnarayana Raju, respectively.
The denial of extensions by the Modi government has reversed the trend of the UPA government which was criticised for making extensions a “norm” instead of an “exception”. In 2012 for instance, 11 top scientists were on extension at various laboratories across the country.
Tag Archives: ACC
RTI-PMO-Regarding termination of contract of Sh Avinash Chander
To Date 14th January 2015
Shri Rajesh Nagpal
Under Secretary
Central Public Information Officer
ACC Cell, Cabinet Secretariat
Sardar Patel Bhawan
New Delhi – 110004
New Delhi – 110004
Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in respect of refer to Order No. 36/01/2015-EO(SM.I) , Secretariat of Appointment Committee of Cabinet, DOPT, Min. of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions ,Govt. of India regarding “Termination of the Contract of Shri Avinash Chander, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D-cum- Director General Research & Development, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri with effect from 31.01.2015”.(Copy Enclosed)
In above reference and respect, kindly provide the following information under RTI Act 2005.
- The Minutes of the meeting of ACC that approved the termination of contract.
- File Noting for the approval of said termination order by ACC.
Enclosure- 1 (Copy of the Order of ACC dated 13.01.2015)
Registration Number CABST/R/2015/60015
DRDO chief booted out 16 months before end of tenure
Hidustan Times – Rahul Singh, Hindustan Times New Delhi, January 13, 2015
The government on Tuesday sacked Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander, putting up the exit order on the Department of Personnel and Training website even before informing him.
“I am hearing this from you. It has come as a shock to me. I haven’t received any order from the government,” Chander told HT exclusively.
The appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) approved the termination of Chander’s contract with effect from January 31, a good 16 months before it was to end. Strangely, the ACC order was taken off the DoPT website later in the day.
The sacking was first reported by HT on its website.
“It is the government’s decision to end my contract but I had no indication this was coming. No idea why it has happened,” the 64-year-old added.
The reasons for Chander’s unceremonious exit could not be immediately ascertained but the DRDO had in August come in for sharp criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over delays and cost overruns in key military programmes. Modi had said India had the potential to be a world leader in the defence sector but was being held back by a “chalta hai” attitude.
In another snub to him, the NDA government had last year turned down a DRDO request for grant of extension to four senior scientists who had attained the age of retirement.
Chander had retired on November 30, 2014 but was to hold charge till his contract expired on May 31, 2016. This was in line with his appointment order issued on May 31, 2013. The government had even issued an order on November 27 last year saying Chander would “continue to be in operation” for the next 18 months — making his sacking on Tuesday all the more unexpected.
As chief of India’s premier defence research agency, Chander also held the posts of scientific adviser to the defence minister and secretary, department of defence R&D. He is credited with shaping India’s strategic missile programme.
The DRDO was set up in 1958 to develop indigenous military technology and cut back on arms imports. But India holds the dubious distinction of being the world’s largest weapons importer, sourcing 70% of its defence requirements from abroad.
A search panel headed by the cabinet secretary will pick Chander’s replacement from among top DRDO scientists.
No IAS can beat the DRDO technocrats
Government having best IAS to govern and run the government machinery, for that, time to time government order published to take care the smooth functioning of various departments.
Sometimes they observed that the orders are manipulated for wasted interest by various departments.
Recently DOPT published an order for “Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) dated 24th September, 2014”
In Para 1 of above order “The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.”
Sh Narendra Modi ji canceled 4 scientists of DRDO’s extensions on 31st October 2014 but since August 2014. He was expressed his view that flag of research sectors should be in the hand of young achievers.
It seems DRDO’s technocrat mafia took it as challenge a start playing their gimmick the recent example of appointment of Dr. Pushkar Raj Scientist ‘G’ ,Director, DTC (Defence Technology Commission) secretariat DRDO HQ, New Delh.
The DRDO Internal Order No O14.066 dated 26-SEP-2014 stated that “authority has approved appointment of Dr. Pushkar Raj, Scientist ‘G’, as Director DTC Secretariat, at DRDO HQ, with immediate effect. This appointment is for a period of 03 years from the date of assumption.
Now the best part of above order is as per official records Dr. PUSHKAR RAJ Sc G, HQ_DTC SECTT’s date of birth is 20-Jul-1955, than how can DRDO authority appointed him beyond the age of 60 years without approval of ACC.
Only GOD knows that how DRDO is running, there is no rules following by DRDO, in one LAB director is purchasing wine from poor tax payers money, other Lab Director is busy in manufacturing silver chariot for religious ceremony costing 2.5 crores from again poor tax payers pocket, DG Sh Avinash Chander busy to please his shisya first promoted, than made her Director of Lab by superseding and ignoring numbers of senior scientists, not only this Chander recruited her husband as Scientist ‘G’ and made him Director,QRS, DOP is busy to help his sister to harass genuine scientists by issuing charge sheet, also helping his corrupt friend directors for harass whistle blowers, everywhere you will find despoliation/ vandalism in DRDO.
When head is corrupt then who will run the show honestly – only GOD, Modi Ji or now Parrikar Ji can save our premier defence organization.
Jai Hind
Extensions without approval of ACC should be cancelled immediately
To 10th November 2014
Honorable Sh Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister,
Room No -152, PMO,
South Block,
New Delhi -110011
Subject: Extension of service after age of 60 years.
Sir,
Recently DOP&T published an OM F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) 24th September, 2014 Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation.
In Para 1 of above – The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.
In Para 4 of above – It is also reiterated that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation and under no circumstances should the Ministry/Department concerned extend his services beyond superannuation unilaterally without the approval & ACC.
Sir, with reference to above OM it is clear that ACC has observed that in some cases officials/scientists got service extensions without first obtaining approval of the ACC, and after straight order no one is retired on his date of superannuation.
It shows that system is having still few strong manipulators who are protecting individuals and putting some weird excuses so that above order is not executed after 46 days. It is really very astonishing facts that after your strong message some of rotten minded officials are not working in the national interest.
On 31st October 2014 evening when DRDO & DAE people got message that you have not granted extensions to scientists after series of recommendations of their so called superiors, they welcomed your decision and distributed sweets and celebrated the closing of extension era.
To maintain their spirit and boosting their moral it is requested that weed out those few officials from your system who are the obstacle of our country’s development and execute the above DOP&T OM urgently.
The cases of extensions without approval of ACC should be cancelled immediately and these scientists should be superannuated with effect from the date they got extension.
Regards
Prabhu Dandriyal 21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun Ph 0135 2787750, Mobile 9411114879, e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.comRTI- PMO – Service Extensions
To Date – 27th October 2014
Shri Syed Ekram Rizwi,
Director & Central Public Information Officer,
Prime Minister’s Office,
South Block, New Delhi – 110011
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879,
e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
South Block, New Delhi – 110011
Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in respect of OFFICE MEMORANDUM F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) 24th September, 2014 Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation. In Para 1 – The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.
- Please provide the copy of order issued by PMO for cases of services extensions which found without obtaining approval of ACC.
- Please provide the names of individuals with name of respective department who were given extensions without obtaining approval of ACC.
- Please provide the names of individuals who were retired from service as per Para- 4 of above referred OM – that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation.
- As per Para- 1 of above referred OM – (The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.) As per above statement it is understood that ACC found such cases where individuals were given service extension without getting first obtaining approval of the ACC. Provide the action taken by PMO on these illegal service extensions till date.
Regards
Prabhu Dandriyal,21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879,
e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
Enclosed – OFFICE MEMORANDUM F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) 24th September, 2014
Registration Number PMOIN/R/2014/61451
OFFICE MEMORANDUM F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) 24th September, 2014
F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training (Office of the Establishment Officer) North Block, New Delhi 24th September, 2014OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation
Attention of all the Ministries/Departments is invited to the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules which prescribe that the ACC is the competent authority to decide the cases of extension in service beyond the age of superannuation. Attention is also invited to DoPT’s OM. No. 26012/6/2002-Estt, (A) dated 09.12.2002 on the subject mentioned above laying down instructions/criteria for grant of extension in service to the categories of personnel referred in proviso to F.R. 56(d). The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.
2. It has also been observed that Ministries/Departments often submit proposals late to the EO Division as a result of which submission of cases for consideration of the ACC also gets delayed.
3. In view of the above, all the Scientific Ministries/Departments are hereby advised to take timely action for constitution of the DPRC for considering the cases for extension of service of specialists in medical or scientific fields, beyond the normal date of superannuation and ensure that proposals seeking approval of the ACC be invariably submitted at least two months in advance of the date of superannuation.
4. It is also reiterated that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation and under no circumstances should the Ministry/Department concerned extend his services beyond superannuation unilaterally without the approval & ACC.
sd/-
(Anand Madhukar)
Director (ACC)
Cabinet nod must for service extension of scientists
TNN | Sep 27, 2014, 05.54AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Centre has made approval of appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) mandatory for extending the service of scientists employed with the government, beyond their superannuation.
“All the scientific ministries/departments are hereby advised to take timely action for constitution of the departmental peer review committee (DPRC) for considering the cases for extension of service of specialists in medical or scientific fields, beyond the normal date of superannuation and ensure that the proposals seeking approval of the ACC be invariably submitted at least two months in advance of the date of superannuation,” the department of personnel and training said in an order.
The order pointed out cases where scientific ministries and departments have not taken timely action to reconstitute the DPRC, an expert body which meets biennially to consider cases of extension to scientists retiring over the next six months. The recommendations of the DPRC are then sent to the establishment officer for final approval by the ACC.
The note said an officer, in the absence of a specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, should stand retired on the day of his superannuation. “Under no circumstances should the ministry/department concerned extend his services…unilaterally without the approval of ACC,” it said.
No extensions sans ACC okay: Government to DRDO
By Aman Sharma, ET Bureau | 27 Sep, 2014,
NEW DELHI: In a message to the Defence Research Development Organisation that has over a dozen scientists working on tenures beyond 60, the government has frowned at the tendency of giving extensions to scientists without consulting the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to be unhappy with DRDO’s functioning and had recently advocated that five out of the 52 DRDO labs be manned by young scientists after reports with the government revealed that as many as 358 scientists had quit DRDO between 2009 and 2013.
A government note sent on Friday to nine ministries and departments which have specialists in scientific or medical fields, including DRDO and Department of Space, the Department of Personnel and Training has said that the ACC headed by the prime minister has observed that in some cases, departments have unilaterally extended the service officers beyond the age of superannuation without obtaining the approval of ACC.
“It is reiterated that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation and under no circumstances should the Ministry/Department extend his services beyond superannuation unilaterally without approval of ACC,” the note says. This also comes on the heels of the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission where Modi had praised scientists at ISRO for the feat.
In Friday’s note, the policy drawn up by the NDA government in 2002 was pointed to, which said that any tenure extensions to scientists should be “only in really exceptional circumstances” and only if the retiring specialist “is not just one of the outstanding officers but is really head and shoulders above the rest”.
That policy also said that too many cases of extensions are likely to cause “frustration and affect morale of upcoming scientists who have exposure to latest technological developments.” In 2012, DRDO admitted that 37 scientists — 12 of whom were in distinguished category — were on extended tenures. This was despite the Rama Rao Committee, which carried out the first external review of DRDO in 2008, calling for a younger profile of top scientists. DRDO secretary Avinash Chander is also working on an extension.
ET had reported on August 23 that Modi was not happy about this situation and had sought all details after he was told about the high attrition rate among younger scientists. Friday’s note also goes out to the departments of Atomic Energy, Science and Technology, Scientific and Industrial Research, Information Technology and Environment Ministry.
RTI-DOPT- DRDO Extension Buisness
To 26th September 2014
Sh Subandhu Basu,
US (SM-I), CPIO,
Room no. 23, North Block,
New Delhi -110001
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879,
e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in respect of OFFICE MEMORANDUM F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II) 24th September, 2014 Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation. In Para 1 – The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.
- Provide the name of officials and name of their respective departments who were get extension in service beyond superannuation for two years without first obtaining approval of the ACC from January 2011 to till date as mentioned in above OM
- Provide the name of officials and name of their respective departments who were get extension in service after 62 to 64 years without first obtaining approval of the ACC from January 2011 to till date as mentioned in above OM.
- Provide the total number of DRDO officials granted extension for two years 60 to 62 years from January 2010 to till date.
- Provide the total number of DRDO officials granted extension for two years 62 to 64 years from January 2010 to till date.
Regards Prabhu Dandriyal,
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879,
e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
Registration Number DOP&T/R/2014/63933
Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation
F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(Office of the Establishment Officer)
North Block, New Delhi
24th September, 2014
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation
Attention of all the Ministries/Departments is invited to the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules which prescribe that the ACC is the competent authority to decide the cases of extension in service beyond the age of superannuation. Attention is also invited to DoPT’s OM. No. 26012/6/2002-Estt, (A) dated 09.12.2002 on the subject mentioned above laying down instructions/criteria for grant of extension in service to the categories of personnel referred in proviso to F.R. 56(d). The ACC has observed that in some of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.
2. It has also been observed that Ministries/Departments often submit proposals late to the EO Division as a result of which submission of cases for consideration of the ACC also gets delayed.
3. In view of the above, all the Scientific Ministries/Departments are hereby advised to take timely action for constitution of the DPRC for considering the cases for extension of service of specialists in medical or scientific fields, beyond the normal date of superannuation and ensure that proposals seeking approval of the ACC be invariably submitted at least two months in advance of the date of superannuation.
4. It is also reiterated that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation and under no circumstances should the Ministry/Department concerned extend his services beyond superannuation unilaterally without the approval & ACC.
sd/-
(Anand Madhukar) Director (ACC)