To, 19th June 2016
Shri Manohar Parrikar,
Defence Minister,
Room No -104 South Block,
New Delhi-110011
Subject: JRF’s forced to work as peons/clerks and photocopy labourers-new working model of Director RAC, Shameful Treatment in DRDO
Sir,
Website received inputs from various Labs/Establishments of DRDO and forwarding to you for necessary corrective measure; in this series enclosed letter is received from Delhi.
To 30th May 2016
Shri Manohar Parrikar,
Defence Minister,
Room No -104, South Block,
New Delhi-110011
Subject: Save the Great Indian Country
Sir,
After call from our Honorable Pradhan Mantri to save the country from corrupts, every citizen want to support the cause and want to contribute with inputs related to corrupt practices prevailing in his surroundings.
Website www.corruptionindrdo.com dedicatedly working to eradicate corruption and nepotism from our premier defence research organization (DRDO)
Website received inputs from various Labs/Establishments of DRDO and forwarding to you for necessary corrective measurement but unfortunately the bunch sitting in DRDO Hq playing old tactics that make a inquiry committee with yes men team, cooked slowly, a farzi inquiry report, and send MoD with lot of excuses if matter is related to corruption like the procurement was necessary in the strategic application so procedure laps overlooked.
If matter is related to service matter then it was presented like if we will not transfer this guy then country and organization will be in trouble. Actually, always you will found only cause, the ego of boss or fear of expose of corruption and nepotism. The fact is no one bothers for loss of public funds or harassment of family, in DRDO because money is flowing.
Sir, only one case, if you take seriously you will find chain of corrupt officials in DRDO. Like the case of DMSRDE corruption since last three years, MoD only served the show cause notice to 40 officials. Everyone knows the material facts, evidences are clear and sufficient but why they are not able to fix. Only reason is that they very well know that every lab/establishment working on same manner but they are fortunate and till date not exposed. Then how can they tie belt on their colleagues who are unfortunately exposed?
Sir please do something exemplary so DRDO corrupt officials stop following corrupt practices and honest will get their due credentials.
To, 15 June 2015 Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, Room No -104 South Block, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110011
To, Dr.S Christopher, DG, DRDO & Secretary DRD DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi-110105
Subject: CEPTAM is another den of corruption and nepotism in DRDO
Sir,
The History of CEPTAM is everyone know but now the time of Internet Era the corruption and nepotism is not possible buried in the dump of files. Great Dr AK Singh did lot of misadventure while he was Director,CEPTAM the cases started coming out one by one like Ms Mishra case, more than half dozen recruitment of single village, driver Sh. Sunderpal case is on, Sh Rajesh Goyal did lot of corruption in purchasing with his favorite firm and the compulsory SMS of CEPTAM-06 the clear example but as history of saving corrupt official in DRDO is still in top.
It is not necessary to send you examples because you have already lot of complaints were pending in different stages.
Please find enclosed article of Yathawat magazine for perusal, it is up to whether take action or just pass gave blessing to DRDO officials that not repeat next time like as earlier MoD treat the Sh Rajesh Goyal, Ex Dircetor, CEPTAM-06 SMS case which submitted with all documentary evidences. Dr. Sudhir Gupta, director, CEPTAM is another great feather of DRDO, and showed his best scientific caliber in CEPTAM- 07, if you investigate his complete service book than it will reveal his manipulations in government funds and allowances like LTC etc while serving in AGRA Lab.
To, 11 June 2015 Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, Room No -104 South Block, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi-110011
SUBJECT: CORRUPTION IN ARUNODAYA PROGRAMME OF DRDO IN CASE OF CIVIL HIRED VEHICLE AT DRL BY DR. VIJAY VEER, DIRECTOR , DEFENCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (DRL), TEZPUR, DRDO, MIN. OF DEFENCE
Sir,
Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur (Assam) is an establishment under Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence.
Vijay Veer, Scientist ‘G’ is Director, DRL, Tezpur with effect from 01 March 2012 and Mr. Baikuntha Jyoti Gogoi (B.J. Gogoi), Scientist ‘D’ is Nodal Officer of Programme Arunodaya at DRL, Tezpur.
Manas Kumar Mandal, Distinguished Scientist is Director General of the Life Sciences Cluster with effect from 02 September 2013. Dr. Mandal was a Professor of Psychology at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT, Kharagpur, prior to joining DRDO and his recruitment in DRDO is mystery well known to CVO, MOD and DRDO.
The Arunodaya Programme was sanctioned by GOI letter No. DGLS/DRL/P(TD)/14-15/99/1957/D(R&D) dated 25 August 2014 and DPC letter No. DRDO/DPC/DIR/32500/LS/2014 dated 27 August 2014 signed by Ms. Nabnita R Krishnan, Director, Directorate of Planning & Coordination (DPC), DRDO HQ. Total cost of the Programme is about Rs. 38 crore with PDC of 05 Years (Aug 2014 to Aug 2019).
Under the guidance and approval of Dr. Manas Kumar Mandal Life Sciences cluster planned a project known as ARUNODAYA PROGRAMME “Soldier Preparedness in High Mountain of NE Region: Arunodaya Programme” with Project No. TD/14-15/DRL-99 and Cost about Rs. 18 crore was sanctioned to DRL, Tezpur.
DRL, Tezpur is nodal laboratory of Arunodaya Programme. Mr. H.K. Gogoi, Scientist ‘F’ is Project Coordinator and Mr. Baikuntha Jyoti Gogoi, Scientist ‘D’ is Nodal Officer of Arunodaya Programme.
The business of eating and looting public money has started in this Arunodaya Programme by Mr. B.J. Gogoi and Dr. Vijay Veer under patronage of Dr. Manas Kumar Mandal, DG, Life Sciences. One such example of corruption is submitted as case study.
CASE STUDY
Draft (not Minute Sheet/ Statement of Case) dated 11 December 2014 under Programme Arunodaya from Programme Office, Arunodaya, DRL, Tezpur initiated by Mr. B.J. Gogoi, Scientist ‘D’, Nodal Officer for “Provision of Civil Hired Transport (Light Vehicle- 4×4 Mahindra Scorpio Diesel or Equivalent) on monthly rental basis for Programme Office Arunodaya at DRL, Tezpur for the year 2015”. The same was approved by Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL on 12 December 2014. Copy enclosed
The Project No. S&T-09/DIH-116 entitled “Development of Specific Technologies to meet the fresh food requirement of Armed Forces under different Operational Environments” was sanctioned by DRDO HQ vide letter No. DLS/79/99705/DIH-116/745/D(R&D) dated 31 March 2009 in which DRL, fund of Rs. 1484 Lakh was sanctioned to DRL, Tezpur in the said project and there was provision of procurement of vehicle with fund of Rs. 9.0 Lakh. Copy of the relevant sanction for procurement of vehicle under project fund
Tata Safari was purchased under the project with approximate cost of Rs. 8.5 lakh in year of 2011. As a matter of fact, DRL, Tezpur is already having a project vehicle Tata Safari with Registration No. 11B108688Y that was purchased under the Project No. S&T-09/DIH-116 sanctioned in April 2009. Since the project is completed hence this project vehicle should be used in any other project and there was no need of hired transport as DRL, Tezpur was already having project vehicle. Photo of the said Project Vehicle Tata Safari is enclosed.
B.J. Gogoi, Scientist ‘D’ and Dr. Vijay Veer, Director make a master plan for looting public money by hiring 4×4 Mahindra Scorpio vehicle at about 8 lakhs/year. If their intensions were positive they would have thought of purchasing such vehicle rather than hiring the same at 8 lakhs/year, despite the Tata Safari (Project Vehicle) was already available with DRL.
In the demand dated 12.12.2014, under point (2) of Note at page no. 2, it is stated that “The firms are registered/will be got registered before tender enquiry”. According the demand dated 12.12.2014 initiated by Mr. M.G. Vairale, Scientist ‘C’ & MTO and countersigned by Mr. B.J. Gogoi, Scientist ‘D’. This demand was endorsed by Store Officer and OI/C Budget & Project Cell.
As per the demand, the tender enquiry was floated to following seven firms. In demand the column of registration No. is blank for all vendors, which itself proves that none of the vendors were registered at DRL, Tezpur as per basic requirement of Purchase Manual 2006.
In scope of work under point (1) Service, it is stated “Provision of Vehicles registered as Commercial Vehicles with licensed drivers” but the hired vehicle provided by the contractor is having white number plate with Registration No. AS 25 E 1645, Blue Color Mahindra XUV. In case this vehicle have been registered as commercial vehicle at RTO then it should have been having yellow number plate and should have been registered as Commercial Vehicle(Taxi). This establish the Vehicle No. AS 25 E 1645 is personal vehicle and not the commercial vehicle. The indenter, nodal officer as well as Director are fully aware of this fact and it grossly violated the scope of work and terms & condition of the contract agreement. Photo of hired vehicle at DRL – Mahindra XUV 500 REG No. AS 25 E 1645 enclosed.
The contract is for 12×7 = 84 Hours /Week but in DRDO office hours are 09:00 to 17:30 and 05 days week, then how hired vehicle was utilized 12 hours per day and seven days in week. This proves the contract is bogus and main objective is misappropriation of public fund by Mr. B.J. Gogoi and Dr. Vijay Veer on the name of hired vehicle.
Two Project Vehicles may be purchased hardly within one month as there was provision of Rs. One crore in sanction of the project for hired vehicle/transport but why till date vehicles were not purchased? The answer is very simple – corruption and eating money by Nodal Officer and Director.
Through Investigation and Verification of Registration of vehicle as Commercial Vehicle, Entries in the Log Book of the said vehicle, Service Tax payment by vendor to Custom & Excise Department, Tour Program/Movement Order/ Tour Claims of official of DRL and bill submitted by vendor to DRL will itself show the whole conspiracy on the name of Hired Vehicle at DRL, Tezpur in Arunodaya Programme.
There are several such cases are available in DRL, Tezpur regarding fake claim and misappropriation of public fund in hired vehicles.
Therefore in light of above mentioned facts and evidences following actions are requested.
Cancel the contract immediately to save public money as Project Vehicle Tata Safari is available at DRL, Tezpur.
To procure two new project vehicles at earliest
Through investigation of all procurement/contracts cases etc in Arunodaya Project made by Mr. B.J. Gogoi till now.
Copy to: Maj Gen. Ajay Gupta, Director, Dte of Vigilance & Security, DRDO Bhawan, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi -110105
With reference to your Directorate letter no DVS/02/2052/P/26 dated 25 May 2015 (copy enclosed) as this project vehicle is using as staff car putting red beacon with front mounted Director, DRL name plate proves the use
Statement of Case dated 11 December 2014 under Programme Arunodaya from Programme Office, Arunodaya, DRL, Tezpur initiated by Mr. B.J. Gogoi, Scientist ‘D’, Nodal OfficerProject Sanction LetterProject Sanction Letter Page 3Hired Vehicle with private numberProject using vehicle using as staff car by Director, DRL Dte of Vigilance & Security, DRDO letter no DVS/02/2052/P/26 dated 25 May 2015
To 6th June 2015 Hon’ble Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, Room No -104, South Block,New Delhi-110011
Subject: Dadagiri of DRDO Lab Director – DMSRDE, DRDO Kanpur
Sir,
Please find enclose the two audio file which website received as extraordinary example of Dadgiri of DRDO Lab Director.
On 29th May 2015 the eve of retirement of 5 DMSRDE officials, Dr A K Saxena arrogantly announced that he only deliberately transferred scientists because he felt that they were working against DMSRDE.
He also proclaimed that 4 CAT cases & 4 High Court cases, PIL, Allahabad managed by him and confident that PIL at Delhi High court will also be managed.
At last he roared that he also identify few officials of DMSDRE who are in his RADAR, their carrier will be finished before his retirement.
Here is great example of so called prestigious DRDO organization, no one in country believe that highly literate are behaving in tapori style and threatening “कुछ को निकाल दिया है और जो बाकी बचे हैं उनको भी निकाल दूंगा समय बहुत कम है (डॉ सक्सेना 31 जुलाई को रिटायर हो रहे है) पर ऐसा कर जाऊंगा कि जब कभी भविष्य में जब कभी सोचेगें कि किसी से पाला पड़ा था उनके करियर को इतना क्षति पहुंचेगी कि वो जानेंगे जिंदिगी भर”
Sir, we know you have lot of responsibilities of defence, whenever you have time to look DRDO please take care adventures of DRDO lab directors, like DMSRDE, Kanpur Director, Dr A K Saxena’s fully evident corruptions with dadagiri, R&D Eng, Pune, Director, Dr. Gurumurthy, Silver Chariot and Sh Muthuraja, Sc E vindictive malafide transfer, DIPAS, Delhi, Director, Dr Shashi bala’s endless cases, Dr Gauasl Khan, Sc D malafide intention Charge sheet, Dr. S Majumadar, Sc G, Mysterious fabricated sexual harassment case, now Senior women scientists problems are in your table.
Please also look the use of project vehicles putting red beacon is also dadagiri symbol of most of DG & Lab directors of DRDO, specially Dr K Tamilmani & ADE Director, Sh P Srikumar
To 5th June 2015 Hon’ble Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, Room No -104, South Block, New Delhi-110011
Subject: Sources of Misuse in Procurement in ADE, Bangalore
Sir,
There was statement in Business Standard 3rd June “Parrikar, who had earlier said that DPP, the framework for defence procurement, will be out by May, admitted that it will take some more time.
The DRDO officials are the best in fooling the laid down procurement process, how please go through the following letter which was received on 3rd June 2015 with request to publish in website for common people of country to understand the reason of delays and failures of DRDO strategic projects.
It is requested to give direction to PCDA to securitize the all DRDO procurement under light of following letter which was sent by the group of nationalist, honest scientists and who are really concern about organization future.
To, 18th May 2015 Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, Ministry of Defence, Romm No -104, South Block, New Delhi-110011
Subject: J&K HC orders FIR against teacher who fails to write essay on cow- DRDO having hundreds of such cases where DRDO officials don’t have recognized certificates/diplomas/degrees
Sir,
It is observed that DRDO has a 30000 strong scientific and technical force and but unfortunately output is not corresponding with manpower strength, it is exceptionally very low in compare to any other organizations or corporate.
Reports are showing so many reasons and excuses for achievements in development of technology like inadequate allotment of budget, unavailability of latest components and systems from developed countries, not given free hand for procurement, not giving free hand for recruitments of manpower etc.
One of the real reasons is incompetency in lower level to higher level of DRDO organization.
If you see the level and quality of qualification of DRDO, a 30000 strong scientific and technical force you will see a very unbelievable scenario.
The real qualified manpower who are having a certificate/diplomas/degrees/post doctoral research/ having good number of published papers in national and international journals/ having name patents but under pressure put their bosses name or bosses blue eyed names without contribution/researchers are doing PhD’s under them, all these kind officials fail to get proper growth in DRDO. Such Skilled officials, if their family commitment allows, then the first thing they do is quit DRDO. Otherwise they accept the current scenario as their destiny.
The officials who have the manipulated certificates/diplomas/degrees/post doctoral research in private deemed universities where they are instrumental to in siphoning the DRDO funds in the name of CARS, Grants-in-Aid. Grants-in-Aid Scheme: Research sponsored in academic institutions under the extramural research (ER) etc / having good number of published papers but as a second, third fourth author, patents in their name but forcefully entered their names etc. These kinds of DRDO officials are at the top of DRDO each and every where.
Sir, unfortunately this is the real harsh situation of DRDO, since we are feeling that you are in the process of revamping DRDO, so this is the real time to look and check even verified from out sourcing like the corporate world is adopted before giving responsibility to someone because you are giving a free hand to spend 10000 cr taxpayers money, the educational professional background of each and every DRDO officials.
Any qualification enhancement from DIAT, Amity, JNTU, Shoolini University and other private deemed universities are mostly by manipulations. DIAT governed by DRDO, rest all private deemed universities from last 15 years enjoying lot of funds from DRDO in the name of CARS, Grants-in-Aid. Grants-in-Aid Scheme: Research sponsored in academic institutions under the extramural research (ER) etc and freely distributing all kind of qualification M Tech, MBA’s, lot unrecognized subject P h D’s and private university self designed degrees/diplomas.
When you will see the data of these DRDO officials you will automatically realize the reason of failure of DRDO.
Sir, above subject’s court decision attracted me to write this letter that I have collected so many evidences of forge qualification evidences of DRDO officials, and as per DOP, DRDO, Dr A K Singh’s letter it is clearly established such acquired qualification were not even verified and encouragement money was also distributed to hundreds of DRDO officials.
Sir, it is requested in the national interest through study is required from outside agency GOI can decide before allotting funds for projects whether the DRDO officials qualified and capable and they are having background knowledge of proposed projects, till date country is witnessing DRDO’s technology demonstration drama which they are able to display with the fully support from outside firms Indian or international.
If you want the evidences which I have collected in last 10 years, I am ready to provide.
By MEERA MOHANTY & Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 11 May, 2015, 07.04AM IST
NEW DELHI: Terrorists, irrespective of wherever they may be operating from, should be neutralised using all types of methods, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told ET in an exclusive interview. He elaborated that “neutralisation” doesn’t necessarily mean killing terrorists but making them “ineffective.”
Parrikar also criticised ex-BJP minister Arun Shourie, saying the latter “does not have the full brief on what is happening”. Shourie had recently said the Narendra Modi government was faltering on policymaking and delivery.
Responding to a question on how India should deal with terrorists in foreign territory, the defence minister said: “A terrorist has to be neutralised-…Certain issues cannot be discussed but I feel that for any enemy of the country, all types of methods should be used to neutralise them.”
“Neutralising does not mean just killing…it means any method that makes them non-functional – get him to jail or to make him ineffective in any manner,” Parrikar added.
In his wide-ranging interaction with ET covering several key policy areas, Parrikar also set out the exact figure on India’s manufacturing share of the Rafale fighter jet project – France will need to spend 50% of the contract value, almost four billion dollars, as investments in the Indian defence and aerospace sector. The minister said the Rafale jet project will “unleash Make-in- India”.
Parrikar also said that with India buying around 36 Rafale jets for now, government savings on this project is likely to be up Rs 60,000-65,000 crore. This money, Parrikar said, will be used to accelerate defence manufacturing in India, including speeding up the long-ingestation Light Combat Aircraft. The minister said LCA will be inducted in large numbers, up to 200 fighters or 10 squadrons.
Parrikar linked low levels infiltration from Pakistan and fewer incidents of cross-border firing this year to Indian forces’ strong retaliation to “misadventures”.
Acknowledgingthat defence forces face an issue on resources, the minister said all three wings, army, air force and navy, must prioritise spending. All three wings have been asked to make a list of must-have items, Parrikar said. He said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would have a new head by May 24.
DRDO will also have a separate Scientific Advisor, who will be attached to the ministry for independent advice. Parrikar said for important projects he will form consortiums of all stakeholders from the government system, it won’t be just DRDO taking all the critical decisions.If the army has to operate in the Jammu & Kashmir, it needs AFSPA: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
To 18th May 2015 Hon’ble Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister,Room No -104, South Block, New Delhi-110011
Subject: Bander Bant (बंदर बाँट) of lab level award and financial share from award money from public fund although Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur was himself Approving Authority for Lab Level Award.
Sir,
Kindly refer to DRDO Newsletter (A monthly House Bulletin of DRDO), Vol. 35 No. 1, Jan 2015, page 9 which covered the news “Raising Day Celebration at DRL, Tezpur”. Copy of the same is annexed as Annexure-1.
Also refer to DRDO website drdo.gov.in with link page policies. Copy annexed as Annexure-2, it is clearly stated that LAB LEVEL AWARDS will be distributed with Approval of the Director of the concerned lab is required on their recommendations of the Lab Level Award Committee. These awards include Scientist ofthe Year Awardto Scientist of the Laboratory with cash prize of Rs. 25,000 and Technology Group Award for Group/Team of Scientists/ Engineers/support staff with cash prize of Rs.50,000.
It is common practice in most of the Lab/Estt. of DRDO that Director never be the part of awardee group as he himself is approving authority for approving the lab level award and due to “conflict of interest” , Director should not be one of the member among the awardees.
There was no such kind of dirty practice in DRL, Tezpur till the year 2009. Copy of Awards List for 2009 is annexed as Annexure-3, but since joining of Dr. Lokendra Singh as Director, DRL, Tezpur a new unethical and corrupt practice started at DRL by which Dr. Lokendra Singh took two Technology Group Award for the year 2010 and 2011. Copy annexed as Annexure-4.
Similarly Dr. Vijay Veer took the Technology Group Award for the year 2012, 2013 and 2014. Copy annexed as Annexure-5.
But ethics, morals and integrity was kept on one side by greedy Directors Dr. Lokendra Singh (Bio digester Man of DRDO) Ex -Director, DRL, 2010-28 Feb 2012) and Dr. Vijay Veer (Director , DRL, Tezpur from 01 March 2012 – Till Date) when both these Directors started to take Technology Group Award for himself along with contribution in price money.
In the year 2014, Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur himself approved his name for Technology Group Award and Dr. I. Baruah; Scientist ‘F’ himself recommended his name while he was member of Committee for selection of lab level award for the year 2014. Copy of the letter dated 03rd November 2014 itself discloses the whole story.
Sir, the issue is concerned with misuse of power for financial benefits, greediness, degradation of ethics and violation of DRDO policy for awards by Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur.
Therefore, it is request you to issue orders to withdraw Technology Group Awards for the year 2012, 2013 and 2014 from Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur and Dr. Lokendra Singh Bio digester Man of DRDO, both should be ordered to deposit the public money received in these awards to Government account.
Sir, DRDO scientists are great to do exemplary manipulations and misinterpretation of GOI rules for their personal benefits.
Ajai Shukla | New Delhi May 4, 2015 Last Updated at 00:38 IST – Business Standard
A sense of drift is palpable within the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), which has been without a leader for three months since the ouster of its widely respected chief, Avinash Chander, on January 31.
On that day, Defence Secretary R K Mathur was given additional charge of Chander’s post of Secretary, Defence R&D, for three months. That period expired on Thursday.
Mathur had held charge of only one of the three posts that Chander occupied – that of Secretary Defence R&D. The other two posts – Director General, DRDO, and Scientific Advisor to the Raksha Mantri – have lain vacant for three months.
The defence ministry is not alone in having key positions without incumbents. There has been no Chief Information Commissioner since August 22, and no Chief Vigilance Commissioner since September 28.
Without a chief, there are problems in coordinating between the DRDO’s seven technology clusters, each relating to a specific subject – e.g. aeronautics, missiles or naval systems. While cluster heads. called directors general, can function independently within their clusters, major development projects involve several clusters.
Among the programmes suffering from this lack of leadership is the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project. While the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency oversees the Tejas project, it has no authority over the four technology clusters that feed into the LCA project. That coordination was always facilitated by the DRDO chief, who personally oversaw the LCA programme.
Another problem, say senior DRDO scientists, is professional insecurity caused by Chander’s unceremonious removal. On November 28, the defence ministry had granted him an 18-month service extension to head the DRDO till May 31, 2016. Forty-five days later, that extension was withdrawn.
The insecurity is most obvious among junior scientists, most of whom looked to Chander as an icon of the DRDO’s successful missile programme. “With such an accomplished scientist removed so arbitrarily, what job security do we have?” wonders a young scientist bitterly. Nor is there any clarity about who might succeed Chander. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said while removing Chander, he wanted someone good from the DRDO who has the urge for development. Parrikar also stated he wanted a younger scientist to head DRDO.With almost all the DRDO’s top scientists already on extension, or nearing the retirement age of 60, 11 of the DRDO’s 12 top scientists might soon retire.
Of these 12 “distinguished scientists”, the DRDO’s top rank, equivalent to a lieutenant general, six have already crossed 60 years and are serving on extensions. Another five are 59 years of age, knocking on the doors of retirement.
The only candidate who fits Parrikar’s twin conditions – being from the DRDO, and also young – is Satheesh Reddy, the highly regarded chief of Research Centre Imarat, a missile technology laboratory outside Hyderabad. Reddy is just 52 years old.
Even so, MoD sources do not rule out bringing in an outsider, possibly from the Atomic Energy Agency, to head the DRDO.
There is also speculation that the three hats the DRDO chief traditionally wore might be split into two or more posts. Opinion on this is divided. The Rama Rao Committee, which proposed reorganising the DRDO, recommended the three posts remain vested in a single person. The subsequent Naresh Chandra Committee recommended separation, though not trifurcation.
The departments of space and atomic energy, which are often held up as models the DRDO could emulate, centralise powers in a single chief. The chairman of the Space Commission also heads the Indian Space Research Organisation, while simultaneously advising the prime minister on space matters.
Appeal to clean DRDO of corrupt and anti-national officials
