Sandip Dighe | TNN | Updated: Oct 23, 2017,
PUNE: The chairman of defence research and development organisation (DRDO), S Christopher, sounded hopeful on Sunday about the Indian Army accepting the Arjun Mark-II tank after certain modifications recommended by the army were incorporated.
Speaking on the sidelines of a function at the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Christopher told TOI, “We have carried out certain modifications as recommended by the army. The tank will go through trials and there is every possibility that it will be accepted considering that the army has already agreed to induct the tank in two regiments.” 
The DRDO chief was on a visit to DIAT — a deemed university under the defence ministry — for the inauguration of the 21st batch of Post Induction Training School (POINTS), a programme for newly inducted DRDO scientists. He also held a meeting with senior scientists.
The army had recommended nearly 71 modifications to the tank and had asked the DRDO to redesign the hull and the turret structures and use new materials in order to reduce the weight. The weight of the Mark-I is 62 tonne while Arjun Mark-II is 68 tonne.
A senior army officer from the armoured corps, told TOI on Sunday, “The army has a major issue with the weight of Mark-II as it will not meet its operational requirements in the western sectors where the tank will be deployed in future. During the past trials, it had come to our notice that the tank is heavier than the existing culvert, thereby, making mobility a major issue. It was, therefore, paramount to recommend a reduction in weight of the tank from an operational point of view.”
A senior DRDO scientist closely associated with the project said, “The army had specified their operational requirement on three aspects — weight, missile firing capability and ammunition. We have addressed these issues. Besides, we have kept the agility and mobility of the tank at par with the existing one. We are confident that the tank will meet the army’s requirements in the trials.” The army has about 3,500 tanks mostly comprising the old T-72 and the improvised T-90 tanks.
Tag Archives: defence
‘Internal politics’ forces DRDO scientist to quit
By Pradip R Sagar | Published: 08th October 2017
NEW DELHI: With a dream to work for his country after spending a successful stint overseas, Dr Gausal Ahmed Khan applied for the post of senior scientist in the country’s premier defence research institute—DRDO—in 2009. Eight years down the line, Khan’s dreams were shattered when he was forced to resign in September owing to ‘internal politics’.
Khan, a physiologist, worked on a project to reduce the acclimatisation time of Indian Army personnel stationed at high altitude locations like Siachen. He has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi exposing nepotism, politics, and corruption prevailing in the DRDO. “Unfortunately my scientific temperament and hard work proved to be a disqualification in one of the country’s most reputed organisations—DRDO,” Khan wrote to the PM.
“Bereaved, my broken and humiliated conscience prompted me to write to you and apprise you of the prevalent politics, corruption, and other work conditions in DRDO. I am writing with a hope that in future work condition in DRDO may improve and will prevent scientists from leaving the organisation,” he added.
While disclosing how he was involved in litigation after not given credit for his work, he said, “I spent the last three years in the organisation defending myself in unwanted litigations imposed on me by higher officials due to their politics, personal vengeance, and family lineage.”
Khan got some relief when he approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) against a disciplinary case imposed on him. The Tribunal in its order stated: “He has been conferred with ‘developing world scientist award’ at international level for his research of unique nature.
Assuming that there are some lapses on the applicant (scientist), the disciplinary authority should have taken a lenient view on account of the excellent scientific research by him which brought laurels not only individually for him but to the country as whole. However, the respondent (DRDO authorities) has not given due credit for his research in the scientific field. This depicts sorry state of affairs. Instead of appreciating his research work, he has been treated shabbily and awarded punishment in gross violation of law”.
When contacted Khan, who is leaving for the US, said, “I came with a vision and a dream. My working conditions forced me to leave. But before leaving, I wanted to apprise the top leaders of the poor work atmosphere. PM talks about self-reliance in defence, but we cannot achieve it unless we weed out corruption and internal politics.”
Army officer, DRDO officials booked for ‘misappropriation’ of land worth Rs 500 crore
TNN | May 16, 2017, 05.11 AM IST
NEW DELHI: The CBI has registered a case against an Army officer, a private person and unknown DRDO officials for allegedly misappropriating land worth Rs 500 crore in Bengaluru, meant for the defence ministry.
CBI teams conducted raids at 7 places in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kodagu, including the residence of Lt Col M G Thimmaya.
The agency booked Lt Col Thimmaya, who was estate manager in estate management unit at DRDO township in Bengaluru, and city resident N H Rustumji besides some unknown officials for cheating, criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a complaint from the defence ministry.
The complaint says the Karnataka government had in a notification in 1987 proposed to acquire 114 acres and 16.5 guntas of land (40 guntas= 1 acre), situated at Benniganahalli village in K R Puram, Hobli of Bangalore, for the use of DRDO.
In 1989, the state government issued final notification saying only 97 of the 114 acres will go to DRDO.
However, between 1994-1996, the state denotified about 44 acres of land out of 97 acres without informing DRDO. The denotification was challenged by the Centre in the Karnataka HC, which ruled in favour of DRDO. The case was contested in the SC by private landowners.
As per the SC order, 2 acres and 1 ¼ guntas was to be transferred by DRDO to five persons. Subsequently, 9 acres and 39 ¾ guntas was transferred to N H Rustumji on the basis of power of attorney executed by landowners in his favour. In this deed, Rustumji was represented by Lt Col Thimmaya on behalf of DRDO.
CBI says Thimmaya and Rustumji cheated DRDO/ministry of defence through transfer of total 12 acres 1 gunta of land, says CBI.
Modi government plans to launch team to probe defence scams
By Pradip R Sagar Published: 18th September 2016 – The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: With an extremely poor track record of probing defence bribery scandals, the country may have a special team to investigate such cases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is contemplating a proposal to constitute the team.
The proposal came up for discussion at a meeting in the Cabinet Secretariat recently where key officials suggested an independent team, which can be tasked to investigate only the high-profile scams that have hit the corridors of the defence ministry. Investigators can be drawn from the CBI to coordinate with the ED, to follow the money trail involved.
The government is planning to launch a special team only to investigate defence scandals. This comes in the backdrop of allegations of Brazilian aviation major Embraer hiring a UK-based agent and paying commissions to swing the $208 million deal for three Emb-145 aircraft inked with India during the UPA rule in 2008. The Defence Ministry has forwarded the matter to the CBI, which has filed a preliminary inquiry and initiated a probe.
From 1986 Bofors, HDW submarine, Tatra to AgustaWestland, Indian investigators have miserably failed on prosecution as majority of the scams hit dead-end and closure was filed by investigating agencies. Government believes that such scams not only bring bad image to the country, but also causes embarrassment globally. The only roadblock, however, will be sparing officials from the CBI, the federal agency which is already short-staffed. In a recent affidavit in the SC, the CBI informed that it has 50 per cent of its staff on deputation and has a vacancy of 754, against its sanctioned strength of 4,544. Of these, 283 vacancies are at the levels of inspector, 195 of constable and head constable, 65 at deputy and additional superintendent of police, 41 at SP and senior SP level and 12 are of Deputy Inspector General.
“Repeated failure of investigating agencies especially in probing defence scams is surely a cause of worry for the government, as it creates a lot of hype. Forming an independent team of selective officials to handle bribery allegations in defence deals will be an option, as most of these probes require overseas intervention,” said a high-ranked official. It ultimately turns out to be diplomatic loss of face for the government after naming foreign companies and middlemen during the course of investigation.
Like in the recent case of AgustaWestland choppers, despite so much of noise in Parliament, CBI has failed to arrest anyone.
DRDO sets timeline for fixing grievances to discourage direct complaint to PM Modi
By Pradip R. Sagar 14 September 2016 The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: As scientists involved in defence research continue to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with their grievances, DRDO headquarters has asked all its department heads to take timely action on these complaints to avoid direct communication with PM or Defence minister.
Following series of complaints, the DRDO’s vigilance department has now fixed a deadline to complete probe into any grievance within in ten days of receipt of complaint.
Days after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked government officials to give their suggestions directly to his office. But, within months, the PMO’s desk handling grievances was flooded with hundreds of representations. To address complaints, Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha, in August 2015 issued an instruction that writing directly to the PMO by violating the prescribed channel of communication has to be viewed ‘seriously’ and is liable for ‘disciplinary action’.
But, despite strict instructions from the Cabinet Secretariat, several scientists have been continuously approaching prime minister’s office and defence minister.
“In absence of appropriate action to be taken on such complaints, the complainant addresses his grievances to various authorities including the Raksha Mantri (defence minister) and Prime Minister’s Office,” according to an stinker from the vigilance department head of the DRDO, Dr. JP Singh, Director, Vigilance and security writes..
“It has been noted with concern that neither any timely action is taken by the head of Clusters or establishment on complaints which are addressed to them, nor any action taken report is forwarded by them headquarters,”
Vigilance department believe that because of in-action by concerned Clusters or Establishments in the DRDO, ‘copious correspondence among various government agencies take place as all the complaints were processed as per extant of guidelines of the DoPT.
“All heads of Clusters/ Laboratories/ Establishments and Units are requested to take timely action on complaint directly addressed to them and forward Action Taken Report to the Chief Comptroller with ten days of the receipt of complaint,” Dr. JP Singh, Director, Vigilance and security writes.
Citing a Cabinet Secretary note on official communication channel, the DRDO headquarters in August last year, had issued detailed instructions to all its laboratories for strict compliance regarding representations being sent directly to higher authorities bypassing the prescribed channel of communication.
Landour cantonment case: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar acts, notices soon
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | Jul 29, 2016,
NEW DELHI: The defence ministry is taking stock of the situation at Landour cantonment, Mussoorie, after a complaint by a serving officer alleged wrongdoing related to several prime properties at the hill station that he said may prove to be “bigger than the Adarsh Housing scam“.
Even as the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), which received a complaint by the estate officer of a DRDO lab located in Landour alleging a scam, moved on the matter, asking for comments from all concerned departments, sources told ET that senior defence ministry officials are tackling the issue.
As part of a fact finding mission, a senior official of the department of defence estates visited Landour after an ET story that revealed that cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar met defence minister Manohar Parrikar regarding a property dispute over a holiday retreat.
Separately, a complaint by DRDO officer Y Ashok Babu had red flagged several commercial establishments (hotels) running in Landour allegedly without permissions, posing a security threat and eroding green cover, as reported by ET.
Sources said that the cantonment board is likely to send notices to several properties located at Landour, including some owned or being run by Tendulkar’s aide, businessman Sanjay Narang.
Also, a change of stance is unlikely on ‘Dahlia Bank’, a hill mansion owned by Narang which is at the center of a property dispute with the cantonment board and DRDO establishment Institute of Technology Management.
Tendulkar, who frequently stays at the mansion, met Parrikar with regard to this dispute.
Narang has denied allegations of wrongdoing, while Tendulkar said that he went for the meeting but denied any economic interests in Landour. In the complaint sent by Babu, a Scientist D posted at ITM in charge of works and estate, to the central bureau of investigation (CBI) and the CVC, allegations of “Illegal high investment commercial activities” have been levelled. These are against a dozen properties, including `Dahlia Bank’ that is owned by Tendulkar’s aide Sanjay Narang.
Sachin Tendulkar sought favours from defence minister Manohar Parrikar: Report
July 19, 2016, International Business Times
By S V Krishnamachari
Sachin Tendulkar, cricket player and Rajya Sabha member, reportedly sought favours from defence minister over a holiday retreat that was in a dispute with DRDO. In Picture: Tendulkar (C) speaks to the media after taking oath at the Indian parliament in New Delhi June 4, 2012 (Representational image).Reuters file
Cricket star and MP Sachin Tendulkar apparently lobbied with Defence minister Manohar Parrikar last year to settle a dispute between his friend’s retreat in Mussoorie and a defence institute over an ‘illegal’ construction.
Parrikar however declined to intervene in the matter, reports The Economic Times.
The urgency of the matter could be gauged from the fact that Tendulkar had to advance his return to India from Australia to take up the matter with the minister, the daily said, citing defence ministry officials.
The holiday retreat — Dahlia Bank in the Landour cantonment area — had allegedly violated the 50-foot, no-construction zone next to the Institute of Technology Management, a sensitive DRDO establishment, the daily said.
Tendulkar had been trying to meet the minister and an appointment was set up. He spoke at length about the property case, which was heard out. However, no action was taken on the request put forward,” ET quoted a senior defence ministry official as saying.
The dispute arose over Tendulkar’s business partner Sanjay Narang constructing buildings, despite having sought and obtained approval to construct a tennis court in the restricted, high-security zone.
The Dahlia Bank controversy was in the news even in 2014, when Ajit B Reddy, CEO of Landour Cantonment, referred to the construction activities at the retreat as “unauthorised,” according to a Hindustan Times report in December 2014.
Tendulkar’s friend Sanjay Narang approached the Supreme Court to appeal against an Uttaranchal High Court order that ruled against him.
In February 2015, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision. An SC bench comprising Justice Pinaki Chandra Gosh and Ranjan Gogi, termed the construction work as “illegal,” The Tribune had reported on Feb. 25, 2015, referring to the February 17 judgment.
The Institute of Technology Management was set up in 1962 to train defence personnel.
Tendulkar has multiple sports and business interests. He is a mentor of the IPL team, Mumbai Indians, co-promoter of Smaaash Entertainment, and co-owner of ISL team Kerala Blasters.
LIFE SCIENCES IN DRDO HAS GOT GREAT POTENTIAL TO WORK TOWORD ACHEIVNG DEFENCE GOALS BUT THESE CROOKS DESTROYING DRDO OF ITS CAPABILITIES
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The Goel Story of DRDE: A stark example of Murky Underbelly of Nepotism and Opportunism in DRDO
Nepotism is the major killer of quality research in DRDO, either a scientist is a relative of the boss or he is good at fulfilling all vested interests of the boss to get undue favours and it is the sure shot opportunity to reach to top and spread venom further in the organization. Out of those opportunists, many could manage one or more bosses to get promotion to next ranks, there few crooks in DRDO who can able to mould themselves according to all type of bosses and they can go to any extent to get all undue benefits and eat away the system within. The great Scientist DR AK Singh is the best example till now, but let me introduce DR AK Goel whose crookedness will raise your hair. He is the modern shakuni of many dhuryodhanas of DRDE, the latest one is Dr. Loku, the great feku of gobar gas a.k.a bio toilet.
Let me introduce the humble beginning of Dr AK Goel, the great goel passed out from not so well known Haryana Agricultural University locally called HAU with a PhD in Agri. Microbiology a subject which has more relevance to plant pathology, n least relevant to any defence application. But you all know very well that to enter into life science research labs of DRDO you don’t need to pass any exam, with an interview you can become Sc ’B’. Now our Goel after joining DRDE as Sc ‘B’ being a natural crook have seen that nepotism is prevalent in DRDE during Er. K Sekhar as director started buttering him by fulfilling all wishes of tharki and alcoholic sekhar. All of a sudden the alcoholic sekhar got promoted to CC R&D but he wished to take his saaki along….. what next???? Khuda mehar baan to gadha pehalvaan” Our Goel told the drunkerd “Sir its a prestige issue if a CC’s humwaal sorry staff officer is just a newly promoted Sc ‘C’….. now the drunkard promised him that I will make you ‘D’.
His gang member Dr. Ilavzhagan (Illegal appointment of his wife T Bhanu fame) readily agreed to advertise a vacancy for Sc ‘D’ in bioinformatics. Now our great don’t have any experience in bioinformatics except searching internet for science papers so he requested to the alcoholic boss to fix the interview board with experts from HAU as expected he was directly selected for the post of Sc ‘D’ in bioinformatics without knowing ABCD of bioinformatics and unfortunately the other guy who appeared in the interview holding a post degree and a PhD in Bio informatics was kicked out. Now the real story starts, The great Goel without doing science has jumped from Sc B to D has proudly joined DIPAS at Delhi without even transferring his inventory and lab. He continued to being saaki of CC R&D. Mos interesting point is now all of a sudden even DIPAS felt Bioinformatics is no required so they conveniently transferred Sc ‘D’ Dr Goel to DRDO HQ within six months without even utilizing his great bioinformatics capabilities.
Now as staff officer of Sekhar, Goel started getting all undue benefits including weekly trip to Gwalior to meet his family, you all may get astonished our Goels many times Goel’s monthly travel expenses on Govt account to visit his family is more than his own salary. With his boss clout and timidnessof the then Director Raghavan he could able to keep students for him where as all other working scientist were deprived of helping hand, he enjoyed purchasing equipments and earn handful of money from DRDE even being posted at DRDO HQ, Our Goel is also expert in speculating in share market. With the help of his boss Sekhar LSRB was pressurised to grant research project to Jiwaji Univeristy on making fermented jamun drink which has nothing to do with defence or bio defence. He made his wife to get appointed as RA in that project illegally and both husband and wife siphoned off DRDO money conveniently during full tenure of the project. After one your of serving in HQ, he was again transferred to DRDE on public interest, now the Bioinformatics specialization which was initially at DIPAS is required in DRDE. Now came the era of dushyaasan in DRDE the great farzi paper producer Prof. MP. Kaushik (ChemPro scam fame) our Goel could effectively manage him too whom whole DRDE think only a lady can manage. Dr Goel got a super outstanding call for his outstanding contributions as saaki and his great manipulating abilities. No one knows what great services Dr Goel has done to Alcoholic and Tharki Sekhar, just 15 days before his retirement he himself sat in the assessment board and got him super outstanding promoted to Scientist- E. From scientist B to E in just 7 years!!!!! All hard working and patriotic scientists, learn something from his story, DRDO promotes these crooks and kick on your ass.
This great Goel story did not end here, here comes the era of Tuglak in DRDE, the great Dr. Lokendra Singh who is fooling whole country by farzi bio toilets which are nothing but Gobar Gas plants, even this tuglak wihsed a great saaki and manipulator and he knows Dr Goel is the best Choice so now he made him “Officer On Special Duty” in netaji estyle…. Dr Goel is running the show in DRDE as proxy director and he is soon going to get out standing promotion to Sc ‘F’…… I think AK Singh needs to learn more from this AK Goel.
I wonder if our honourable Rakha Mantri can able to do something to weed out these pests from DRDO before it is too late….. These crooks make whole system rotten generations after generations and real and patriotic scientists perish from the system.
LIFE SCIENCES IN DRDO HAS GOT GREAT POTENTIAL TO WORK TOWORD ACHEIVNG DEFENCE GOALS BUT THESE CROOKS DESTROYING DRDO OF ITS CAPABILITIES
MoD Seeks Report on DRDO Contract Staff
By Pradip R Sagar Published: 17th May 2015 06:00 AM -The New Indian Express
NEW DELHI: Taking cognisance of Express report, which highlighted that a huge number of contractual employees in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were posing a threat to the defence secrets in the wake of a few espionage cases coming to light, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has sought a detailed report from the premier defence research agency.
The April 27 report had said the agency had a strength of more than 50,000 temporary or casual employees, who had complete access to all its classified and research activities.
Alarmed over the issue raised by Express, Defence Secretary R K Mathur, who is holding additional charge of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has sought a detailed report through an internal note issued on May 8 to Director Generals of all the Defence Research and Development Organisation establishments.
“It is therefore requested that requisite inputs in respect of all hired/ contractual employees in your cluster/laboratories and departments along with duration of employment, payment details, functional justification and copy of the relevant authority letter be furnished to the department by June 5 for further necessary action,” Major General Ajay Gupta, Director Vigilance and Security, said in the internal missive on the directions of the Defence Secretary.
These contractual employees are not only involved in every step of design and development of projects, but also in trials. Over 55 laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, mandated to develop products and technologies to modernise Armed Forces ranging from missiles to combat aircraft, have roped in over these casual employees to assist scientists.
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The initiation taken by website cooruptionindrdo.com on the issue
To 27th April 2015 Hon’ble Shri Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister,Room No -104, South Block, New Delhi-110011
SUBJECT: DEFENCE SECRET IN DANGER, DIRECTOR, DRL, DRDO TEZPUR’s DIRECTOR SECRETARIAT MANAGED BY CONTRACTUAL LABOUR AS PERSONNEL SECRETARY
Sir, Yesterday (26th April 2015) The Sunday Standard first page news was “Defence Secret is in Danger”
In this reference, DRDO having lot of examples, DRDO is only one department where you can find contractual manpower above age of 70 or below 18 years. People may be think that because of their high skill expertise DRDO might been engage such manpower, but matter of fact this practice adopted DRDO is only for those who are having good number of secrets or having evidences of wrong doings of DRDO bosses.
In ASL you will find people working since last more than 10 years after retirements, scientists, Technical Officers, who are experts in manpower/ logistic manipulations while missile firing, even JCDA retired account officer etc who are expertise in bill clearance from CDA. These specialized contractual having good assets that can be verified by agencies.
One major observation on these contract appointments is the not following the proper police verification.
ACEM, Nasik campus one murder was done by a contract’s man who has criminal records.
HEMRL GOCO contract labor business, the police verification was done on single list basis one stamp of Thana solved the problem and best part of this these hundreds of contract labours handle the high class explosive TATB.
For example in ADE, DRDO. Bangalore more than 170 B.Tech contract employees are working in core area for mare Rs 12000 and same time scientists who are getting hefty salaries Rs 80000 to 1.5 Lakhs are looking stores /admin /horticulture /works / security /Library etc
This Mail received by website www.corruptioninddo.com on Thu, 30 Oct 2014 01:19:10 IP: 49.206.192.222
HELLO SIR
all of us know about DRDL it is a dream job org to every one. but please think about contract employees. My husband is also working in DRDO RCI he is engineering graduate. From past 2 years he is working but he is getting 14k. how we can Liv with family in Hyderabad and this year no increments… we are not dreaming about permanent job….. my small wish is to get better pay… for the same job a permanent employee getting nearly 4ok but contract employee getting only 12+.but work is same for both. am not asking to give 4o to contract people just i want to say please provide increments at least…this is not only my wish… i hope u can think & talk about this……….
if i made any mistake please excuse me….. Defence Minister Sir, hope you will take this above mail seriously
Following one example case of DRL, DRDO, Tezpur for your sharp analysis of this DRDO’s contract business.
- Sh.M.L. Roy is an ex-employee of Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur who superannuated on 31 Dec 2008
- He was posted at Director Secretariat as Personal Assistant/Personal Secretary to Director, DRL, Tezpur prior to his superannuation from DRL, Tezpur.
- Right from his superannuation on 31 Dec 2008, he was start working at DRL, Tezpur as contractual Laborer and posted at Director He is engaged in all sensitive work like computerized compiling of materials in Director’s Office, monitoring and maintenance of important files of Director Office which has already been mentioned in his contract.
- Since last 7 years continuously working in DRL, Tezpur as Personal Secretary (PS) to Director, DRL, and Tezpur by means of several private vendors / supplier/security agencies.
- M.L. Roy is presently of 65 +years age and not fit for this job as in this sensitive post any private contractual labour should not be appointed while several young skilled manpower is available in DRL, Tezpur.
- DRL, Tezpur having permanent staff Sh S K Sharma as PS ‘C’ but he was not assigned the right job.
- Interestingly Sh M L Roy working for Rs 5000 – Rs 6000 only as Jan 2015 Salary was Rs 5764.00
- Sh M L Roy working as mole for vendors, each and every file of procurements / recruitments/ transfer postings/temporary duties etc. moves from Director’s office.
Sir, it is requested kindly order for extensive survey of to explore the necessity of this contract business in DRDO. Because like Director, DEAL Sh R C Agarwal used these contract labour for kitchen gardening, to clean utensils, to wash his wife’s petticoats etc, when this issue published on website Sh R C Agarwal stopped using these labours. This British legacy are maintaining by DRDO directors and senior officers. I am enclosing two photographs of a contract labour is busy to wash his boss personal car in DRL, Tezpur campus
Jai hind
Prabhu Dandriyal,
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008 Phone 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879, e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com website www.corruptionindrdo.com
Enclosed 1. DRL, Tezpur, contract bills in respect Sh M.L. Roy 2. Photographs of contract labour washing the personal car of boss
50% of Rafale deal value will be invested in India: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
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”.
Acknowledging that 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