To 6th October 2014Sh A. M. Manichan,Under Secretary (IC-IV), CPIO,Ministry of Defence,Department of Defence,Sena Bhavan, New Delhi – 110011
Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in respect of Sh.G MALAKONDIAH, CC (R&D), DRDO held guilty for civil contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 and punished with Simple Imprisonment for a period of three weeks and also pay a fine of Rs.2,000/ by Honorable Madras High Court on 24.09.2014. Further court directed the Government to take appropriate departmental action against them for the reckless negligence and willful disobedience of the orders of this Court.Madras High Court Contempt Petition No. 1711/2012 arising out of Writ Petition No. 13067/2005
Provide under which CCS Rules the departmental action taken by Ministry of Defence as directed by Honorable Madras High Court on 24.09.2014 against Sh.G MALAKONDIAH, CC (R&D), DRDO.
Provide the policy and guideline of Ministry of Defence to take actions/ implement on various court orders.
Provide if any time limits to implement court directions in Ministry of Defence.
Provide the file No of case initiate by Ministry of Defence as directed by Honorable Madras High Court on 24.09.2014 against Sh.G MALAKONDIAH, CC (R&D), DRDO.
To 6th October 2014
Hon’ble
Shri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
Room N0 -152, PMO, South Block,
New Delhi-110011
SUBJECT: DEEMED SUSPENSION OF DR. G. MALKONDIAH, DS AND CCR&D (HR), DRDO AS under the provisions of Rule 10(2)(b) of CCS(CCA) Rules 1965
Hon’ble Sir,
Hon’ble Madras High Court Judgment dated 24 Sept 2014 in Contempt Petition No.1711 of 2012 inW.P.No.13067 of 2005 and Sub Appln.No.602 of 2012 in which Dr. G Malkondiah, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller Research & Development (HR & TM) was one of the respondents. By the order dated 24 Sept 2014, Hon’ble Court pronounced following order:
Para 40 of judgement – Therefore, we propose to impose punishment of sentence of imprisonment onthe respondents 2 and 3 for their wilful disobedience of this Court’s order. In the facts of this case, we feel that merely imposing fine on the second and third respondents would be inadequate and ends of justice would be served, only if they are awarded imprisonment and fine.
Para 41 of judgement – In the result, respondents 2 and 3 are held guilty for civil contemptunder Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 and they are punished with Simple Imprisonment for a period of three weeks and also pay a fine ofRs.2,000/- each personally.The Government is directed to take appropriate departmental action against them for the reckless negligence and wilful disobedience of the orders of this Court, which lead to insurmountable sufferingsfor the petitioner for more than a decade.
Para 42 of judgement – The contemnors are directed to surrender for undergoing the punishment of imprisonment within one week from today, failing which the Registry is directed to issue warrant of commitment to prison for undergoing the sentence imposed upon them.
Para 43 of judgement- By this order, the issue has not come to an end and the liability ofthe petitioners/contemnors in W.P.No.13067 of 2005 to comply with the orderdated 30.04.2009, does not abate. Therefore, they are directed to comply with the order forthwith.
Dr. G. Malkondiah has been punished with simple imprisonment for a period of three weeks and also pay a fine of Rs.2,000/-. Therefore Dr. G. Malkondiah, CCR&D (HR&TM) has been convicted by Hon’ble Madras High Court for civil contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
Hon’ble Madras High Court stated in their order “A sleeping man can be woken, but not a man who pretends to sleep. Here the Contemnors belong to the latter category and they can never be woken up unless orders in this Contempt Application are passed. Therefore, we hold that the second and thirds respondents have wilfully committed contempt of the order of this Court dated 30.04.2009 in W.P.No.13067 of 2005 as affirmed by the Hon’ble Apex Court”.
Provisions of Rule 10.(2)(b) of CCS(CCA) Rules 1965 reproduced here for ready reference:
(2) A Government servant shall be deemed to have been placed under suspension by an order of appointing authority –
(a) with effect from the date of his detention, if he is detained in custody, whether on a criminal charge or otherwise, for a period exceeding forty-eight hours;
(b) with effect from the date of his conviction, if, in the event of a conviction for an offence, he is sentenced to a term of imprisonment exceeding forty-eight hours and is not forthwith dismissed or removed or compulsorily retired consequent to such conviction.
Provisions of Rule 10(5)(a) CCS(CCA) Rules 1965 reproduced here for ready reference:
(5)(a) An order of suspension made or deemed to have been made under this rule shallcontinue to remain in force until it is modified or revoked by the authoritycompetent to do so.
Therefore, under the provisions of Rule 10(2)(b) , Dr. G. Malkondiah is now under deemed suspension wef 24.09.2014 and his deemed suspension shall remain continued until it is modified or revoked by the authority competent to do so.
The formal orders of deemed suspension has not been issued till date by the authority competent to do so in MOD and he is continue as CCR&D(HR&TM).
Vide [G.I. , MHA, Letter No. 39/72/51-Ests., dated the 23rd October 1951] and [G.I. , MHA, O.M. No. 25/70/49-Ests., dated the 26th December, 1949], conviction of Government servants to be promptly communicated to administrative authorities. Whether Dr. G Malkondiah has informed to authority competent so about his conviction or not, is matter of investigation by the competent authority, if not then it will be regarded as suppression of material information and will render him liable to disciplinary action on this ground alone.
Under the provisions of Rule 19(i) of CCS (CCA) Rules 1965, the authority competent to do so in case of Dr. G. Malkondiah, should take necessary action as per rules.
Dr. G. Malkondiah challenged the said order dated 24.09.2014 of Hon’ble Madras High Court in Hon’ble Supreme Court vide civil appeal D No. 31977/2014dated 25 Sept 2014.
The hearing of the civil appeal D No. 31977/2014 along with civil appeal D No. 31978/2014 took place at Hon’ble Supreme Court on 26.09.2014 and Hon’ble Supreme Court stayed the order dated 24.09.2014 of Hon’ble Madras High Court in contempt petition no. 1711/2012.
Dr. G. Malkondiah knowingly victimizing & mentally torturing the employee of minority community since past ten years by misusing his official position and deliberately disobeying the Court orders. Hon’ble Madras High Court makes comment on his act as “wilful disobedience of Court orders “. This act of Dr. G. Malkondiah is of moral turpitude and should not be ignored by authority competent to do so.
Dr. G. Malkondiah, Distinguished Scientist, took over as Chief Controller R&D (HR) at DRDO HQ on January 01, 2013. As matter of fact Directorate of Personnel (DOP) report to CCR&D (HR) and all legal matters of DRDO be taken care by DOP under CCR&D (HR). Thereby Dr. G. Malkondiah misused his official position to satisfy his ego by contemning the Hon’ble Court order and on the other hand victimizing the man of minority community who was unemployed since the year 2004. Thereby Dr. G. Malkondiah wasted lakhs of rupees from public fund in fighting the cases from Hon’ble Tribunal to Hon’ble Supreme Court since 2004 to 2014.
Therefore, in light of the facts stated above suitable disciplinary action may kindly be initiated by Government against Dr. G. Malkondiah, CCR&D(HR&TM), DRDO and he should be placed under deemed suspension by written order by the competent authority so that justice and rule of law could be establish in DRDO.
GOI OM 23 October 1951 under Rule 19 of CCS(CCA) Rules 1965
SC order dated 25.09.2014
SC order dated 26.09.2014ITEM NO.56 COURT NO.4 SECTION XII
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Civil Appeal Diary No(s). 31977/2014
G MALAKONDIAH Appellant(s)
VERSUS
S. JOSEPH RAJ AND ORS
Respondent(s)
(with appln. (s) for exemption from filing c/copy as well as plain copy of the impugned order and permission to file appeal. And office report)
WITH C.A. D 31978/2014
(With appln.(s) for exemption from filing c/copy as well as plain copy of the impugned order and appln.(s) for permission to file appeal. and Office Report)
Date : 26/09/2014 This appeal was called on for hearing today.
CORAM :
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAFULLA CHANDRA PANT
For Appellant(s)Mr. Mukul Rohtagi, AG
Mr. R. Bala, Adv.
Mr. R.K. Verma, Adv.
Mr. B. V. Balaram Das,Adv.
For Respondent(s) Mr. V. Balaji,Adv.
Mr. Asai Thambi, Adv.
Mr. Rakesh K. Sharma, Adv.
UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following
O R D E R
Permission to file appeal is granted.Perused the photocopy of the certified copy of the order dated 24.09.2014 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Signature Not Verified Judicature at Madras in Contempt Petition No. 1711 of 2012.
Digitally signed by
Rajni Mukhi
Date: 2014.09.29
12:12:10 IST
Reason: Petitioner is allowed two weeks’ time to file affidavit enclosing the copy of the said order.
Notice be issued on respondents returnable within four weeks. Dasti, in addition, is permitted.
Mr. Rakesh K. Sharma, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of Respondent No.1. He may file counter affidavit within three weeks. Rejoinder Affidavit, if any, be filed within a week thereafter.
In the meantime, the order dated 24 th September, 2014 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Contempt Petition No. 1711/2012 arising out of Writ Petition No. 13067/2005 and sub Application No. 602 of 2012 shall remain stayed.
For a country that boasts of one of the youngest populations in the world, it is strange that the field that perhaps deals with the most cutting-edge technology is dominated by scientists past their prime. Most top scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who are tasked with creating future weapons are past the retirement age of 60 and are on service extensions.
Indeed, such is the state of affairs that the head of the research organisation, which encompasses 54 establishments and labs dealing with fields as diverse as ballistic missile defence and insect repellent cream, will get an 18-month contractual tenure from November when he turns 64, the maximum age till which service extensions can be given. This extraordinary contract, beyond the remit of extensions, was specially approved by the previous UPA government more than a year in advance for the present DRDO Chairman Avinash Chander.
Though not new, the old age crisis of the lumbering organisation has worsened as private sector prospects have brightened for young scientists. Internal surveys have found that nearly 87 per cent of the young scientists who join DRDO soon get disenchanted with the archaic, rigid structure of the research body that does not reward extraordinary performance with proportional career growth. Annual intake of new scientists has dropped to just 70, barely enough to replace those who take early retirement, thereby, rapidly increasing DRDO’s age profile.
It is still early to judge the Narendra Modi Government’s policies, but the perception that it is taking a strong stand on the issue has brought cheer to hundreds of young scientists itching to prove their worth in DRDO’s labs across India. A series of events, from the Prime Minister’s remark on promoting young scientists to the cabinet secretariat’s stinging order curbing DRDO’s unilateral age extensions to its scientists, have raised hopes that the problem is finally being addressed.
It’s about time, too. As many as 10 of the 16 top DRDO scientists are on extension. Apart from Chander, nine of the top-graded `Distinguished Scientists should have retired, but most are now on their second extension.
Rules mandate that DRDO scientists must retire at 60. They can, however, be given two two-year extensions under,extraordinary circumstances. Beyond the age of 64, there is no provision for service extension. Yet, the UPA government, in May 2013, approved an Appointments Committee of the Cabinet note to give an 18-month extension to Chander following his “date of retirement of 30.11.2014 on contract basis, with the same terms and conditions as he would be entitled to before the date of retirement”.
By doing this, the UPA went back on its promise to appoint a younger head to DRDO. (Both V.K. Saraswat and M. Natarajan, who preceded Chander, retired at 64.) The special provision made for Chander has become the subject matter of several complaints, the latest by one of DRDO’s own, younger scientists to the cabinet secretariat in August. “The post-retirement contract is not legal and has been made against the rules. A contractual employee can be taken for an advisory role but not to head an organisation,” Navin Gupta, the Kanpur-based DRDO Scientist ‘C’, said in his complaint.
While a convincing argument can be made that age is no criterion for innovation and that experience and continuity is needed to deal with certain technology areas, most scientists on extension in the DRDO are handling primarily administrative positions- from most director generals at the headquarters to the heads of six of DRDO’s 54 labs and establishments.
The impact of the extensions policy on DRDO’s talent pool is immense: an internal survey found that most of its entry-level scientists are unhappy about their career prospects and some 57 per cent of all scientists leave the organisation prematurely due to lack of professional satisfaction. Since 2008, nearly 500 entry and mid-level scientists have resigned or taken early retirement while intake of new scientists has barely kept pace. At a seminar on August 20, Chander admitted this was a problem that required urgent attention. “DRDO’s annual intake of young scientists has dipped to 70 per year, resulting in a rapidly rising average age which certainly is not a good sign for an innovation-centric organisation,” he said. The average age of DRDO scientists is creeping closer to 40.
When Modi, speaking immediately after Chander at the same function, said that at least five DRDO labs should only employ scientists under 35, it was the first indication that his Government was addressing the problem. Many thought that the PM picked the number, five, randomly, unaware that it had come from the most in-depth review of the DRDO ever done.
The review, conducted by the Rama Rao Committee in 2008, had identified five labs working in critical fields such as solid state physics, metallurgy, cryptology and lasers for ‘empowered‘ status in order to give them the liberty to quickly induct young talent, bypassing the cumbersome selection process.
The voluminous report suggested other far-reaching reforms, but the UPA government never fully implemented it. The new Government has dusted it and top officials are studying its recommendations. These include revamping the human resource structure to enable DRDO to hire talent from outside, including Indians working abroad, for key technologies; identifying a set of ’empowered labs’ that have the freedom to hire and fire scientists; lowering the age of entry of talent; and looking abroad for key innovators. “A balance has to be struck. The optimised path may be being selective in granting extensions for specific research projects and not for administrative roles,”says Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani (retd), who was a member of the review committee.
As for the old age issue, one of the first things the Modi regime has done, at least, is get the cabinet secretariat to issue a terse circular on September 26, directing DRDO to stop the practice of unilaterally granting age extensions to its scientists without the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister. Sources say extensions have been put on hold and all such future requests would be critically examined. Whether the Government is firm in this resolve will be tested by the upcoming grant of a contract extension to the DRDO chairman.
India TodayDRDO Chairman Avinash Chander with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given an enthusiastic and passionate call for ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of cleanliness, urging everyone to devote minimum two hours every week towards cleanliness. Needless to say that the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” is the crying need, as India, the otherwise recognized religious and spiritual capital of the world is also well-known as the filthiest country on the globe. ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ is a mass movement to realize Gandhi’s visualization of clean India by 150th Birth Anniversary on 2nd October 2019. The Mahatma’s visualisation of cleanliness was three-pronged – a clean mind, a clean body and clean surroundings. Holding that ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’, he emphatically wrote, “We can no more gain God’s blessing with an unclean body than with an unclean mind. A clean body cannot reside in an unclean city”. (Young India 19/11/1925) An old proverb says, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” This means that cleanliness comes next to godliness in importance.The whole statement means cleanliness takes a common man to the proximity of God. This journey starts from cleanliness of clothes, body and surroundings. Everything around us should be clean and beautiful. For which, Addison says “Beauty produces love, but cleanliness preserves it”. The very famous quote of our “Father of Nation” is “I WILL NOT LET ANYONE WALK THROUGH MY MIND WITH THEIR DIRTY FEET”. Then, there is the cleanliness of mind. Mind should be clear off from all the feelings of hatred, harm and haram (sinful). Buddha’s eight fold path emphasized much in the cleanliness of mind. When the dirt of sinfulness is obliterated from the screen of mind, noble, lovable and pious actions come into action. Mahatma Gandhi also told that “Cleanliness of mind and body is the first step in education”. Means शिक्षा का पहला चरण दिमाग और शरीर की सफार्इ है. DRDO is spending crores of rupees onEnvironmental Control Hygiene Maintenance Services (ECHMS) contract. For example the open tender for DMSRDE, Kanpur dated 01 September 2014 is having an estimated cost of Rs. Twenty two Lakhs Fifty Thousand and Open tender for ADE, Bangalore dated 16-09-2014 is having an estimated cost of Rs. One Crore. So DRDO top management should not worried about cleanliness of roads, residential complexes, offices, work places, parks/gardens and toilets etc. DRDO officials needs cleanliness of mind based on principles of Mahatma Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi that will make DRDO corruption free and that will be true homage to Mahatma Gandhi Ji and real contribution in Prime Minister “Clean India Mission”.
2nd October – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
Mahatma Gandhi Vision – Gandhi Ji’s loves Harijan & weaker section of society DRDO Acts – Harass SC/ST and minorities by all means to giving them base less Charge sheets, Deprive with promotions, awards and other benefits. The number of representations to grievances cell, SC/ST commission and CAT cases and minorities commissions are shows the clear picture of pathetic DRDO HR. The Madras high court on 25th September 2014 awarded a three-week jail term to the DRDO two so called top scientists for contempt of court Dr G Malakondaiah, CC R&D, DRDO and Padam Vibhusan Dr V K Saraswat, Ex DG, DRDO for harassing a minority individual Sh. S Joseph Raj shows the height of high egoism prevailing in top DRDO officials.
To 30th September 2014Sh A. M. Manichan,Under Secretary (IC-IV), CPIO,Ministry of Defence,Department of Defence,Sena Bhavan, New Delhi
Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in respect of Sh.G MALAKONDIAH, CC (R&D), DRDO held guilty for civil contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 and punished with Simple Imprisonment for a period of three weeks and also pay a fine of Rs.2,000/ by Honorable Madras High Court on 24.09.2014. Subsequently Sh.G MALAKONDIAHfiled an appealin SUPREME COURT OF INDIA on 25th September 2014 and got stay on Madras High Court order of 24th September 2014. In Supreme Court there are four advocates were present for appellantSh.G MALAKONDIAH
For Appellant(s)Mr. Mukul Rohtagi, AG Mr. R. Bala, Adv. Mr. R.K. Verma, Adv. Mr. B. V. Balaram Das, Adv.
Provide the Ministry of Defence rule position for providing advocates to government servant.
Number of advocates
Limit of fees
The criteria for providing advocates
In case of Sh.G MALAKONDIAH provide the total expenditure done by Ministry of Defence.
Provide the advocate fee given to each one for Sh.G MALAKONDIAH case.
(with appln. (s) for exemption from filing c/copy as well as plain copy of the impugned order and permission to file appeal. And office report)
WITH C.A. D 31978/2014
(With appln.(s) for exemption from filing c/copy as well as plain copy of the impugned order and appln.(s) for permission to file appeal. and Office Report)
Date : 26/09/2014 This appeal was called on for hearing today.
CORAM :
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRAFULLA CHANDRA PANT
For Appellant(s)Mr. Mukul Rohtagi, AG Mr. R. Bala, Adv. Mr. R.K. Verma, Adv. Mr. B. V. Balaram Das,Adv. For Respondent(s) Mr. V. Balaji,Adv. Mr. Asai Thambi, Adv. Mr. Rakesh K. Sharma, Adv.
UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following
O R D E R
Permission to file appeal is granted.Perused the photocopy of the certified copy of the order dated 24.09.2014 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Signature Not Verified Judicature at Madras in Contempt Petition No. 1711 of 2012.
Digitally signed by
Rajni Mukhi
Date: 2014.09.29
12:12:10 IST
Reason: Petitioner is allowed two weeks’ time to file affidavit enclosing the copy of the said order.
Notice be issued on respondents returnable within four weeks. Dasti, in addition, is permitted.
Mr. Rakesh K. Sharma, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of Respondent No.1. He may file counter affidavit within three weeks. Rejoinder Affidavit, if any, be filed within a week thereafter.
In the meantime, the order dated 24 th September, 2014 passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Madras in Contempt Petition No. 1711/2012 arising out of Writ Petition No. 13067/2005 and sub Application No. 602 of 2012 shall remain stayed.
To 30th September 2014
Central Vigilance Commissioner,
Central Vigilance Commission,
Satarkta Bhawan,
A- Block, GPO Complex, INA
New Delhi-110023
SUBJECT: COMPLAINT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN PROCUREMENT BY DR. VIJAY VEER, DIRECTOR, DRL, TEZPUR
Sir,
Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur (Assam) is an establishment of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.
Dr. Vijay Veer, Scientist ‘G’ taken over as Director, DRL, Tezpur w.e.f. 01st March 2012. As per DRDO legacy Dr. Vijay Veer start running DRL, DRDO, Tezpur violating all laid down rules of GOI.
The procurement procedure adopted in fashion that few vendors from New Delhi who are closed associate with him from his tenure in DRDE, DRDO, Gwalior are brought in picture for each and every requirement of DRL, Tezpur by overlooking local competent and expert/ experienced suppliers / vendor in their respective field.
This phenomenon is common in DRDO the most of Director in DRDO fix one or two pet suppliers and after that selected suppliers supply from needle to elephant to the lab like M/s Jangid Construction supplying and involved in different field requirements. The technical evaluation committee signed blindly for sake of their CPAR and career.
The corruption can openly viewed in all supplies / contracts cases of M/s Jangid Construction, New Delhi and M/s MK Decorators, New Delhi it is in the tune of thousands to Lakhs of rupees. Dr. Vijay Veer having close association with proprietors of M/s Jangid Construction, New Delhi and his associate M/s MK Decorators, New Delhi.
Dr. Vijay Veer has provided a plenty supply orders to M/s Jangid Construction and his associate M/s MK Decorators after assuming charge as Director, DRL, Tezpur. Presently most of the supply orders are given to M/s MK Decorators, New Delhi.
It is observed that Dr. Vijay Veer influence the project in-charge and other officials in process of procurement by all means.
In almost all indents, the vendor addresses are from New Delhi only. List of vendors to which Limiter tenders were sent is given below.
In all indents stated above supply orders were place to M/s Jangid Construction, New Delhi and M/s MK Decorators, New Delhi. Copy of some of the indents and supply orders given to M/s Jangid Construction and M/s MK Decorators are enclosed.
10. He has split the indents intentionally with gross violation of PM 2006(Purchase Manual of DRDO).
11. He is giving the contracts for the work which CCE (R&D) East is supposed to do, making his way to accumulate ill-gotten gains.
12. From the facts stated above, it is amply crystal clear that prima facie material regarding misuse of power for personal gain and corruption exists by Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur.
13. The corrupt practices and misuse of power by Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur has developed corrupt system at DRL, Tezpur and that affected scientific activity and R&D at DRL, Tezpur.
14. In view of the above mentioned facts and evidences it is earnestly requested that an order for through investigation of all procurement done by Dr. Vijay Veer, Director, DRL, Tezpur after assuming charge as Director, DRL, Tezpur to stop further corruption and wastage of poor tax payers money.
Website published 3rd September 2014 few glimpse of DMSRDE swachhta scenario. Congratulation to Dr A K Saxena he took the task with enthusiasm and did some shiny strokes. God will give him same courage to do science without corruption, without Mangalam Traders, without ? ? ?
Best of luck for Swachhta Shapataha 25th September to 2nd October 2014
Snehlata Shrivastav,TNN | Sep 28, 2014, 04.46 AM IST
Nagpur: Like any automobile, submarines generate a lot of harmful gases like carbon-mono-oxide (CO). India was importing special room filters for submarines which could absorb CO as well as other gases. To ensure safety of the Naval staff, the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has not only developed its own CO filters called ‘CFKIII room filters’ but also room filters that can absorb over 40 different gases, at almost one fifth of the imported cost.
The information on CO filter is on display at the three-day AXIS technical festival organized by students of the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT). In fact, India is the first country to develop a CO filter which can work for indefinite period even in heavy moisture conditions as compared to the Russian filter costing about Rs1 lakh.
On inquiring about the filter, sources in DRDO headquarters told TOI that the organization has developed other types of room filters too which can prevent over 40 harmful gases including hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, stibine, hydrogen cyanide, acrolein. These filters need to be changed after 45 days and one ship needs at least 14 different filters.
DRDO Gwalior laboratory has developed many equipment and techniques which can detect, protect and decontaminate the chemical warfare agents Sarin, Soman and Tabun. A filter paper like strip attached to any human body part changes into various colours that help in detecting the type of chemical. This lab has also developed a toe-to-head carbon coated suit and a mask which filters everything else and allows only oxygen to go in.
Another DRDO lab, Centre for Fire Explosives and Environment Safety in Delhi, has recently developed a light weight ‘fire proximity suit’ which has five layers of protective material. It has also developed an Emergency Escape Chute (EEC) which can take a load up to 4 to 5 tonne and can be used effectively for evacuating people from high rise buildings, oil rig platforms and can be used together with auto-inflatable raft. The lab is yet to transfer the technology to a manufacturer.
The Solid State Physics Laboratory of DRDO in Delhi has made an indigenous alternative hand held equipment to highly expensive imported one. Since it can detect chemical warfare agents effectively, it is being called as e-nasika or-e-nose which can sniff any chemical. It uses ‘surface acoustic wave’ or SAW sensors. It will be manufactured by Bharat Electricals Limited in Pune. Against the imported version costing Rs20 lakh, this one costs just Rs5 lakh.
Appeal to clean DRDO of corrupt and anti-national officials
