With 64 Crores annual budget in 1980, when Dr. V S Arunachalam took over as Scientific Adviser, the budget allocation enhanced to 1100 crores with missions made to develop missiles under IGMDP program.
That was the beginning of infrastructure development and deteriorating of scientific research and development. By March every year i.e. the closer of financial year, everyone from Scientist ’B’ to SA to RM office were looking for procurement cases only and those who met the expenditure by any means were rewarded with scientist of the year award.
However the conscious financial officers use to raise objections, so special provisions were made and duly approved by ministry. SA to RM was given special powers to procure under single quotation more than Rs. 10 lakh where procurement committee could be bypassed. This decision was taken to facilitate the speedy development of technology for missiles.
The incumbent after Kalam, further modified the single tender purchase and the SA office granted permission for procurement of one lakh rupees only.
The cases were raised left and right on single tender procurements, where hefty sums were returned to indenter as kickback. This procedure became a culture of DRDO and when in 2006 DRDO Purchase Manual was introduce and policy was framed, Directors powers were raised to 50 Lakhs rupees with Hqrs. rep in crores and SA’s power raised up to 50 crores.
When previous Defence Minister Sh. A K Antony noticed the foul smell, he ordered CGDA for special audit of DRDO. CGDA found that DRDO Directors including Scientific Adviser misused the funds by splitting procurement orders within their limit of sanction power. They fooled the country in all possible ways. A well known fact is that 70% of DRDO requirements come from foreign countries; it means that DRDO is wasting precious foreign currency which is hard earned by the country.
DRDO procured, in last 10 years, thousands of crores of rupees equipments and these equipments are lying idle in various Lab premises and waiting for their departure to the scrap house.
With the passage of time DRDO has become a dumping ground of obsolete technology and a way to needlessly waste the poor tax payers’ money without any end result.
Honorable Prime Minister is requested to overhaul the DRDO structure totally and take strong actions to implement Accountability.
With warm regards
Prabhu Dayal Dandriyal 21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008 Phone – 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879, E-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com, Website – www.corruptionindrdo.com
