To 30th January 2014
Sh. Subandhu Basu, CPIO,
US (SM-I),
Room no. 23,North Block,
New Delhi
Hello,
Shri Avinash Chander, DS & CCR&D (M&SS) was appointed as Secretary Department of Defence Research & Development-cum Director General, Defence Research & Development Organisation and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri vide order No.12/9/2013-EO(SM.1) dated 31st May 2013 of DOPT. Dr. VK Saraswat was SA to RM, DGR&D, DRDO and Secretary (DR&D) from 01st September 2009 to 31st May 2013. Shri M. Natrajan was SA to RM, DGR&D, DRDO and Secretary (DR&D) from 31st August 2004 to 31st August 2009.
In reference to the above kindly provide the following information under RTI Act 2005.
INFORMATION SOUGHT
Provide copy of Minute Sheet & File Noting of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approval for appointment of Shri Avinash Chander as Secretary Department of Defence Research & Development-cum Director General, Defence Research & Development Organisation and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri with effect from 31st May 2013.
Provide copy of Minute Sheet & File Noting of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approval for appointment of Dr. V.K. Saraswat as Secretary Department of Defence Research & Development-cum Director General, Defence Research & Development Organisation and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri with effect from 01st September 2009.
Provide copy of Minute Sheet & File Noting of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approval for appointment of Shri M. Natrajan as Secretary Department of Defence Research & Development-cum Director General, Defence Research & Development Organisation and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri with effect from 31st August 2004.
Criteria adopted for selection of SA to RM, DGR&D & Secretary (DR&D) in appointments of Shri M. Natrajan, Dr. VK Saraswat and Shri Avinash Chander. (Seniority or Personal achievements & Qualification or any other)
Provide the copy of guidelines and rules for selection and appointment of the candidate as SA to RM, DGR&D & Secretary (DR&D) as per orders & procedures of Government of India
The tenure and age for which DGR&D, DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, DR&D could remain on this post.
Reasons & Justification mentioned in appointment for giving three ranks/posts to a single person in DRDO by Government of India.
Whether any person except SA to RM, DGR&D, DRDO and Secretary, DR&D) at top level/Secretary level under Govt of India has been assigned three ranks/posts simultaneously till so far. (Yes/No)
If answer to point (8) is yes then provide the post/rank and name of the persons holding three posts simultaneously.
After 1942 it become clear that India will become independent and the national leaders started carving various developmental plans and knowing fully well that the day British goes the kitty will be empty.
However, Tata, Birla and many financially sound business tycoons came forward to rebuild India. Tata institute of Sciences, BITS Pilani, Visvesvaraya Technological University, etc. were to execute the task in land.
In 1948, though it was minor war we used equipment/arm ammunitions left out by British and fortunately both the parties across the border used the same equipment and arms ammunitions.
In 1962 we were an infant but had to fight the Chinese war in which we imported some equipment and arms ammunitions.
Successively in 1965 & 1971 once again we depended upon imported Russian equipment and some equipment given to India on goodwill.
In 1999, Kargil we were 52 years old with scientific and technological achievements on papers with lot of rewards awards like Scientist of the year, young scientist, PATH BREAKING RESEARCH AND OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY, AGNI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SELF-RELIANCE, DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY SPIN-OFF AWARD, BEST INNOVATION/FUTURISTIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD, Silicon Trophy, TITANIUM TROPHY and the list is very long.
We fought the war with imported arms & equipment. The statement of former Army chief V P Malik, who led the army during the 1999 Kargil war, has said “casualties in the conflict could have been reduced had DRDO not come in the way” in the acquisition of weapon-locating radar. “Delivery delayed is delivery denied,” said Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
The best part is that in Kargil war both parties imported same communications equipment from same suppliers of same country and history was repeated. Because of the terrain condition across the border same problems were faced by both the armies and suppliers sent engineers to rectify the problem.
Interestingly, the scientific achievement after 52 years of independence was the same.
In the Government of India, almost all the ministries have spent thousands and thousands of crores and achieved frontline technology but compared to defence R&D is far behind.
Why?
When DRDO used to have one CC R&D it delivered some output. After special powers were granted to project directors the incompetency took the fore front with the blessing of the recruiters that “position makes a man.” With this principle incompetent over powered. The bluffers became achievers.
Congrats to Dr. W. Selvamurthy one such achiever of DRDO, for assuming charge as President of Amity University, Noida.
Dr W.Selvamurthy, as CC R&D, visited DEAL, DRDO, Dehradun in a function when all the past directors were invited for felicitation. Dr E Bhagirath Rao, Sh V P Sandlas, Sh Ashok Sen were present in the function. Ex CC R&D Sh V P Sandlas then was Director General at Amity University and Dr W.Selvamurthy in his address said “the so called Director General of Amity University Sh V P sandlas” with his crooked famous smile on his face.
Amity University is same and today same Dr W.Selvamurthy has joined Amity University without obtaining the mandatory NOC from government of India (copy of RTI reply from DRDO enclosed)
But I must congratulate him that so far he has distributed crores and crores of rupees to his beloved south bound private universities via Life science board of DRDO, as per DRDO culture now he will access his past office and be able to manage funds for Amity University.
So almost private institutions are having same practice to oblige those who had helped them to provide funds (poor tax payers’ money) in the name of projects and individuals are getting interests or kickbacks by mutual understanding.
Only GOD knows when the government of India, GOM, Defence Standing Committee will realize this out flow of precious money. Since there is no accountability, these senior scientists and technocrats are fooling the nation and helping and nurturing the incompetency in the field of science and technology. This growing incompetency is a major obstacle of our self-reliance.
Avinash Chander, the man behind Agni series of missiles, was on Friday appointed as the new Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister and Director-General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He will also hold the post of Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development. He succeeds V. K. Saraswat, whose term ended on Friday.
“I feel honoured to take up this new responsibility. Dr. Saraswat has set DRDO on a good course. I have to continue and take it to the next level,’’ said Dr. Chander.
Dr. Chander, who was recently awarded Padma Shri, was behind the successful development of 5000-km range Agni-V, enabling the nation to join the elite club of five advanced nations. Development of Agni missiles in highly restrictive international control regimes was possible only out of his technology, perspective planning and efforts. He created the infrastructure, industry base, production lines, and integration facilities to produce different classes of Agni missile systems, a DRDO release said here.
Dr. Chander’s pioneering research in innovative energy management guidance system enabled utilisation of solid propulsion, the main thrust and the backbone of the long-range missile system. Under his leadership, DRDO developed critical technologies such as composite rocket motors and advanced high accuracy navigation system. He also laid the technology road map for missile complex laboratories and led the R&D in the advanced navigation systems, onboard computers, servo valves and seekers.
Dr. Chander joined DRDO in 1972 after completing graduation in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi. He is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineers.
Priorities
Y. Mallikarjun reports from Hyderabad:
Dr. Chander told The Hindu before leaving for Delhi DRDO had lot of commitments and among the immediate priorities were the induction of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas by next year-end and of Agni-V in the next two years.
Dr. Chander, who obtained M.S. in Spatial Information Technology from JNTU, Hyderabad, is also Vice-President of the Aeronautical Society of India. He has received numerous awards and honours, including DRDO Scientist of the year and Agni Self-Reliance Award.
SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY Monday, December 24, 2012 AT 12:14 PM (IST)
PUNE: The Army’s refusal to accept a modular charge system developed by the city-based DRDO lab High Explosive Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) has resulted in wasteful expenditure of Rs 13.48 crore for the DRDO, a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said.
The modular charge system helps to enhance functioning of Artillery guns. The chapter titled ‘Unfruitful expenditure on development of modular charge system for field guns’ said that the DRDO undertook a Technology Development (TD) project for development of the modular charge system for 105 mm and 130 mm guns based on a request by the Director General of Artillery. This project was handed over to Pune-based DRDO lab HEMRL.
In the field of artillery guns, modular charge system was considered desirable over the existing bagged charge system in view various advantages.
“HEMRL developed the systems by spending Rs 13.48 crore and after successful technical trials offered both the systems (105/130 mm) in September 2010 for user trials. However, at that stage DG Artillery showed disinterest in the system since the field guns were nearing the end of their life cycle and were likely to be de-inducted from service over next seven to 10 years. This rendered the entire efforts and expenditure of Rs 13.48 cr unfruitful,” the CAG report said.
In reply to audit observation, the DG Artillery stated (May 2012) that DRDO had been asked to undertake the project at no cost implication to the Army and the systems were not accepted as the DRDO did not adhere to the timeline.
On the contrary, the DRDO Headquarters stated (July 2012) that the Army had been associated at each stage of development and kept informed of progress.
“The finger pointing by two organisations both under the Ministry of Defence, DRDO which is responsible for indigenisation and Army which is expected to put such indigenous weapons system to use, indicates that both the organisations within the same Ministry have been operating in silos,” the report said.
While the Army headquarters did not respond to a Sakal Times query on the matter, Director of Public Interface, DRDO Headquarters Ravi Kumar Gupta said that after the establishment of technology, R&D work was undertaken to apply it to field guns of the other caliber like 105 mm and 130 mm field guns.
Scientists install a DRDO-developed bio-toilet in the icy vastness of Siachen. File photo: DRDO
Nearly 700 scientists have resigned from India’s premier military research body DRDO in little less than six years from 2007, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on resignation of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO), Mr. Antony said a total of 637 scientists resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists up to October 31 this year.
Scientists who had resigned have either cited personal or domestic reasons for leaving DRDO, Mr. Antony said.
However, it is assumed that increased opportunities or incentives available in other organisations and industries are the main reason of such resignation, he added.
On incentives taken as corrective measures to restrict resignation of scientists from DRDO, Mr. Antony said excellent infrastructure facilities have been created at work places and residential complexes and two additional increments have been given on promotion to each grade.
To another question, Mr. Antony said DRDO is a subordinate organisation under Defence Ministry and does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work.
Asked whether DRDO enjoys a huge amount of autonomy because of its strategic nature of work, he said, “DRDO is a subordinate organisation under the Department of Defence( R&D) in Defence Ministry and is governed by central government rules and regulations.
“Therefore, DRDO as an organisation does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work.”
Revised delegation of financial powers of Director General of DRDO was carried out in 2010 to address a long standing requirement and was done after due process and deliberation, he said.
“The process of exercise of these powers has been further rationalised and a corrigendum has been issued by Department of Defence (R&D) on November 21, 2012 as a partial modification to the earlier financial powers,” the minister added.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 1295 ANSWERED ON 05.12.2012
Resignation of scientists from DRDO
1295 SHRI DILIPBHAI PANDYA
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that about 650 scientists have resigned from their posts in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) during the last five years;
(b) if so, the year-wise and post-wise details thereof;
(c) whether low emoluments in DRDO are the reasons for their resignation; and
(d) if so, what corrective steps are taken / proposed to be taken by Government to persuade the scientists not to resign?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) A total of 637 scientists have resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists upto 31st October 2012.
(b) Year-wise and post-wise details are given below:-
No Scientist ‘G’, Scientists ‘H’ and Distinguished Scientist have resigned during 2007-2012.
(c) Scientists who had resigned have indicated their personal / domestic grounds as the reasons for leaving DRDO. However, it is assumed that increased opportunities / incentives available in other organizations / industries is the main reason of such resignation.
(d) The following incentives have been granted as corrective measures to restrict resignation of scientists from DRDO:-
• Two additional increments on promotion to each Grade.
• Up to six variable increments on promotion granted on fast track.
• Professional update allowance to all scientists.
• Fast track promotions through assessments.
•Opportunity to acquire higher qualifications at reputed institutes viz. IIT’s / IISc, etc. as DRDO sponsored candidate.
•Young Scientists, Scientist of the Year and other DRDO Awards in recognition to their contributions, etc.
• Excellent infrastructure facilities have been created at work places and residential complexes.
Government is making all efforts to grant Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) to DRDO scientists at par with scientists of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
IBN Karnataka | Posted on Aug 31, 2012 at 08:25am IST
Bangalore: The father of one of the 11 men arrested by the Bangalore Police on Wednesday on charges of having links with terror groups Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and the HuJI and plotting attacks on MPs, MLAs and journalists, has said that the family wasn’t informed his arrest. The man worked as an engineer at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“We didn’t get any message of his arrest. The police did not give any information about his whereabouts. My elder son works at the DRDO. His name his Ajaz,” said AM Mirza.
The Bangalore Police on Wednesday arrested 11 people, including a journalist with a popular English daily, for suspected terror links. Sources said the arrests were made as the eleven were planning to kill a prominent columnist with a Kannada newspaper, who had written an anti-Islam article, said Karnataka DGP Lalrokhuma Pachau.
Addressing a press conference, Commissioner of Police, Bangalore, JP Mirji said a foreign-made pistol and other incriminating evidence were recovered from them.
Mirji added that those arrested have links with Saudi Arabia-based LeT and HuJI and it is suspected that they have more supporters in other states. “Targeting individuals could have created communal tension,” he said.
Mirji said more details could not be revealed at the time as investigations were still on.
Sources say that the Uttar Pradesh Police provided their Bangalore counterparts the intelligence about the terror group, which has links with Indian Mujahideen. Sources add that the questioning of those arrested is on.
At least three of the arrests were made in Hubli in north Karnataka.
Meanwhile, four suspected Indian Mujahideen activists involved in the 2010 Chinnaswamy Stadium blast case were detained in Bangalore on Thursday for questioning, police said.
Fifteen people were injured when two bombs exploded at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18, 2010 on the eve of the Bangalore-Mumbai IPL semifinal match.
Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Director General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachau said backgrounds of those picked up was being checked.
Website received a call for a meeting on Objectionable Informations on www.corruptionindrdo.com from IT Ministry on 9th December, 2011 afternoon.
The meeting conducted in Dr Gulshan Rai’s room no 4067, 4th floor, Department of Information Technology, Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,New Delhi – 110003
The Meeting Chaired by Dr. Gulshan Rai, Director General, I-CERT and GC (Cyber Laws Group Formulation & Enforcement Division)
Members were – Joint Secretary Home, (Internal Security)
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Law
Director, I-CERT
Sh Prafful a Kumar, Director IT Ministry
DRDO was represented by – Dr W Selvamurthy, DS & CC R&D (LS & IC) along with seven DRDO officials from GMIST
Sh Santosh Joshi, IT expert & Social worker from Uttarakhand
The committee first took statements of DRDO for approximately one hour. Then they heard our point of view and about our mission seriously for one hour and viewed some evidences related to corruption of DRDO officials.
Our written reply on subject matter was submitted on 12th December, 2011 by Fax and by Speed post to the Chairman, Dr Gulshan Rai.
Same letter is being uploaded for the honest, dedicated countrymen who are fighting against corruption, which is a main hurdle for our country’s overall development.
Call for Meeting
To 12-12-2011
Dr. Gulshan Rai,
Director General
I-CERT and GC (Cyber Laws Group Formulation & Enforcement Division)
Department of Information Technology,
Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi – 110003
Subject: Objectionable Informations on www.corruptionindrdo.com
Reference: Our meeting on 9th December 2011 at your office on above subject
Respected Sir,
With reference to our meeting held at your good office on 9th December 2011, I would like to submit following as per committee’s advice.
I have put the website www.corruptionindrdo.com on abeyance till committee’s final decision, which I am supposed to receive at the earliest, so that our mission to expose corruption/nepotism / favoritism prevailing in DRDO for sake of national interest will continue.
I would like to again assure Govt. of India that the website is working to support the Government agencies who are working towards the eradication of corrupt practices by public servants and if anywhere Government of India feels that the website may harm/hinder the national security, as an honest Indian citizen, I am ready to close the website on the committee’s verdict.
However, as some points were raised on the website’s articles by committee, like the name of DRDO’s establishments whose address DRDO thinks is not available in public domain or some equipment names like the only available EMP Hardened Satcom Terminal. I am enclosing some references for your kind perusal and observations.
Before the Committee of I-CERT and GC (Cyber Laws Group Formulation & Enforcement Division)Department of Information Technology,Electronics Niketan, 6, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,New Delhi – 110003
In reference of DIT letter no. 6(16)/2011-CLFE dt. 30-11-2011 for examining the request for blocking of information on above noted site, here by put up over clarification as under –
That main objective of this site has been fighting against the practices of corruption in Defence Research Development Organisation.
That a lot of visitors use this site to put up their views regarding the corrupt practices in DRDO, which after examination on the point of corruption are forwarded to the higher authorities and published on the website. Thus this is a work in the interest of the security of the state.
That nothing is affecting security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency and morality, contempt of court, defamation, incitement to an offence, sovereignty and integrity of India.
That freedom of speech and expression entitles a person to speak without any censorship or restriction. On the website there is already a DISCLAIMER: “The comments submitted by users on this website do not necessarily reflect my opinion. While I believe that everyone should be allowed to express his thoughts and views freely through this online platform, it does not mean that I endorse them in any manner. The information against corruption in DRDO uploaded on this website by me is backed up by appropriate documents, letters and evidences gathered through the Right to Information Act. If anybody wishes to challenge the authenticity of this information, they are welcome to contact me to seek further details. They can also seek direct clarifications from relevant authorities about these evidences. The whole and sole objective of this website is to expose the corrupt elements in DRDO and protect national security interests of the country. Exposing such elements does not mean that it is an effort to malign any individual or party for some personal reason or motive. My campaign is against a corrupt system and if this system is rectified, I will believe that the objective has been achieved and there is no need to take this up further.”
That if anybody finds evidence against the viewers’ views, they are free to send their views / criticism/objections to us and we always welcome a free discussion on that issue / topic put up in this website.
That our viewers who have a lot of evidences against the corrupt practices in DRDO and they are regularly sending this information to the higher authorities as well as to us, but this information is not taken by the senior DRDO officers, because they are already involved in these malpractices. So we publish these issues on our web site. A lot of information is collected by IB/CBI/Police/ Other investigation agencies from us as well as from our viewers.
That DRDO is failing to comply RTI-2005-4(1)b. so that nobody is accountable and responsible for his duties.
That a lot of corruption evidences is available to open an investigations by CBI/ any investigation agency.
That drdocorruption.com published those matters on the website which is related with the corruption and exempted from scheduled -2 list of the RTI Act-2005- 24(1)- “ Provided that the information pertaining to the allegation of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded under this sub – section” .
That drdocorruption.com published those matters on the website which is related with the corruption and available publicly. i.e web page / research papers / conferences and seminars / court cases / Tenders published by the DRDO on international bases.
That the DRDO and Senior Scientists important confidential and secret research information’s put in before the public through the web page / research papers / conferences and seminars / court cases / Tenders published by the DRDO on international bases. We hereby put up very important research information’s already available in the web pages as under—
References
SF Jagdalpur – Company Profile SPECTROCHEM INSTRUMENTS PVT.LTD.
Premier Explosives signs contract with DRDO, SF Complex, Jagdalpur
Capital Market / 17:48 , Oct 27, 2009
For operation and maintenance of plant & equipment for 5 years
Premier Explosives has announced that the company have signed an Operation and Maintenance contact with DRDO, SF Complex, Jagdalpur. The contract is for operation and maintenance of Plant & Equipment for a period of 5 years at an annual value of Rs. 309 lacs (with price escalation on annual basis) to be commenced from 02 November 2009.
July 2004 – July 2005 (1 year 1 month) Girola, Jagdalpur, Chattisgarh
Handling the admin works and performing the role of personal assistant of Deputy General Manager.
The job responsibilities included the following :
1.Drafting letters, Inter Office Notes, Circulars of DGM.
2.Maintaining office documents/files
3.Arranging for calls/meetings for DGM and making minutes of meetings.
4.Assisting Admin in various admin works.
Only available EMP hardened SATCOM terminal in the country-
Writ Petition of No -263 of 2003SB, Nanital High Court
Dr Krishna Kumar Jha Vs Union of India
Annexure -27 Representation of Dr K K Jha, Sc’E’, DEAL, DRDO, Dehradun addressed to Scientific Adviser to RM dated 3rd April 2003 Para – 1 (Copy enclosed)
Dr K K Jha's representation to SA to RMDr K K Jha's representation to SA to RM
Details of EMP Hardened SATCOM Terminal –
International Electromagnetic Interference and science of Protection Mechanism – Paper published in Proceeding of INCEMIC-2003 (copy enclosed)
There are 9 papers publish referring the DEAL’s available EMP Hardened SATCOM Terminal in INCEMIC during 2000 -2008
