By Pradip R Sagar | Published: 28th October 2017 The Sunday Standard NEW DELHI: Forget about missiles or battle tanks, the country’s premier defence research agency DRDO’s bio-toilets are getting blocked with major glitches. Indian Railways, the toilets’ main user, is getting hundreds of daily complaints from passengers from its 17 zones, and its top officials can’t find a solution.
Dr Y Ashok Babu, a senior microbiologist who was part of the E-loo project, has questioned the technology used and has written to the Defence Minister and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). He claims the imported bacteria worked perfectly well in the laboratory but not in Siachen, for which a solar panel heating system was added to accelerate the ‘digestion’ process. He says the bio-toilets, which are nothing but gobar gas plants, involve no technology and can be built by a village mason. He claims that officials conspired with some vendors to fool people; they just added bacteria from Antarctica, which is available in cow and buffalo dung.
A senior Railway official involved in the procurement of the bio-toilets from DRDO said, “Nowhere in the world are such toilets used in rail coaches except in India.” In response to an RTI, Railways authorities revealed no study was carried out before installing the toilets in coaches. “These toilets are not approved by UIC (international union of railways) or any other Railways Standard Organisation,” he said.
Claiming to be a ‘big failure’, Railways officials said 95 per cent of these toilets are faulty. The Railways planned to install 2.5 lakh toilets in all coaches by October 2, 2019.
The bio-toilets were invented by Gwalior-based Defence
Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) and Tezpur-based Defence Research Laboratory (DRL) to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh in 2012. After the Ministry for Rural Development—which spent Rs 1,000 crore for the project—the Railways has become its biggest user. The DRDO has made the transfer of technology agreement with 56 companies, which are producing bio-toilets at a cost of Rs 15,000 to Rs 75 lakh. DRDO officials refused to comment when contacted.
Loo-se ends
Indian Railways, the toilets’ main user, gets hundreds of daily complaints from passengers
Railways officials said
95 per cent of these toilets are faulty
Railways planned to install 2.5 lakh toilets in all coaches by October 2, 2019
The project cost Rs 1,000 cr
E-loo uses anaerobic microbial bacteria to decompose and convert biological human excreta into usable water and gasses
Posted by: Clean India Journal – Editor May 10, 2016 in News
Having received a number of complaints on non-functioning of installed bio-toilets like choking of pipes, improper ventilation in toilet, incursion of non-biodegradable materials, use of excessive acid, usage of more people than the prescribed limit, bio-toilets remained unutilized for more than six months required seeding with fresh bacteria and so on, DRDO has rectified all the problems and the same has been updated to all the concerned channels. This was informed by the Defence Minister, Manohar Panikkar in Parliament.
The IR recently allotted Rs195 crore for the current fiscal as part of a larger Rs2,450 crore plan to install 40,000 toilets in 24,500 coaches, spending Rs10 lakh for each coach.
Staff Reporter – The Hindu HYDERABAD:, MAY 17, 2013
The bio-toilet costs about Rs.80,000 apiece and uses uses bacteria to decompose night soil. Authorities plan to install 200 of them in Padmavathi, Ajanta and other trains
After conducting a successful trial run of using bio-toilets in 17 coaches of Hyderabad-Mumbai and Kacheguda-Bangalore Express trains, the South Central Railway (SCR) has now decided to install 200 bio-toilets in a few more trains very shortly.
Bacterial decomposition
Developed by Railway Research and Standard Organisation (RDSO) and Defence Research Development Establishment (DRDE), a bio-toilet, has six compartments and uses Inoculums (bacteria) to decompose night soil.
The night soil from commode enters into the bio-tank, where the inoculums are stored and gets decomposed by the bacteria. The decomposed human soil will next enter into chlorine tank and to get purified. Finally, the out put will be water and gas, said SCR spokesperson.
Onerous task of hygiene
Maintaining cleanliness at railway stations, especially the tracks at stations is always a task. Conventional toilets in trains discharge night soil onto the track, causing unhygienic conditions and corrosion to track and coach fittings, he said.
But with simple design and easier installation in coaches, these bio-toilets help in ensuring zero discharge of night soil on the tracks. SCR had commenced a trail run of using these bio toilets in Hyderabad-Mumbai and Kacheguda-Bangalore Express trains in January and it was found beneficial, he informed.
Each bio-toilet costs about Rs.80,000 and authorities are planning to install 200 of them in Padmavathi, Ajanta and other trains in a few months, he explained.
Bio-toilets with provision to replenish inoculums and chlorine are easy to maintain.
However, these toilets would get choked, if passengers dump bottles, plastic carry bags, cups, napkins etc into it via commode. It would choke the toilet, making it unusable, he added.
TNN | Updated: Jun 5, 2017, 08.01 AM IST PUNE: The Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory, has decided to not provide its chariot for the annual Sant Dnyneshwar Maharaj palkhi procession that will be began on June 17.
Recently, an official communication in this regard was sent to the Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Sansthan Trust (SDMST) in Alandi, which manages the procession.
Confirming the development, SDMST president Ajit Kulkarni said, “We have received a communication from the Research and Development Establishment (E) authorities stating that the chariot will not be given for the procession henceforth. They have not specified a reason. It is their entirely decision.”
According to Kulkarni, the particular chariot had been used for the procession between 2013 and 2015. “Last year, the laboratory’s authorities had cited that there was some technical glitch in the chariot and hence they could not provide it. Since the chariot is in their possession, we were not aware about its actual status,” Kulkarni added.
On June 13, 2012, a bullock drawing the chariot had died near Phulenagar at Vishrantwadi on the Pune-Alandi road. The weight of the old chariot was one of the reasons cited for the death. The chariot weighs about 4 tonnes.
Following the episode, the trust had requested authorities to construct a special, lighter chariot. Then Research and Development Establishment (E) director R Guruprasad sought requisite permission from the scientific adviser to the defence minister and took on the project
Commenting on the functioning of the chariot, a SDMST member said, “The new chariot was lighter and they had developed a mechanism wherein the battery-operated chariot would draw power when it traveled uphill and got charged while going downhill. Thus, reducing the bullock’s burden.”
Other members of the trust pointed out that the DRDO’s chariot had helped complete the procession smoothly. “Thousands of devotees would get injured as their legs would come under the wheels of the old chariot. But, the DRDO chariot had reduced this risk ,” a trust member explained. When contacted, Research and Development Establishment (E) director VV Parlikar refused to comment on the matter.
By ABHINANDAN MISHRA | New Delhi | 16 July, 2017 Sunday Guardian
The notice sent by Sanjay Narang to Y. Ashok Babu
Notice to whistleblower raises questions about secrecy.
The whistleblower in the Sanjay Narang property case in the Landour cantonment area of Mussoorie has been served a notice by Narang, raising serious questions regarding the government’s onus to maintain confidentiality of such complainants, who have often been attacked.
Narang has served a notice to Y. Ashok Babu, estate officer of the Institute of Technology Management (ITM), which is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), asking him “to either substantiate with evidence the allegations made by you, or to unconditionally withdraw these allegations within seven days, failing which I reserve my options open to file a case against you personally for defamation under section 499/500 of the Indian Penal Code, as your letter to the CVC/CBI (and circulated to the media) was sent by you in your personal capacity”.
A copy of the notice has been forwarded to the DRDO, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and multiple departments under Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Sunday Guardian also has a copy of the same.
Ashok Babu had earlier filed a complaint with the CVC seeking a probe into the irregularities regarding Narang’s properties which are located in the sensitive area of Landour cantonment and adjacent to the ITM laboratory.
Ashok Babu had pointed out that several commercial establishments were running in Landour, allegedly without permission, and they posed a security threat to the defence establishments. He had stressed that this could be “bigger than the Adarsh housing scam”.
The Ministry of Defence was forced to take stock of the situation at the Landour cantonment. The CVC had asked for comments from all departments concerned. A fact-finding mission comprising senior officials of the department of defence estates had visited Landour later. Narang has stated in his notice: “I have been questioned by the CBI and the officials of the Cantonment Board Landour (CBL) based on the false complaints made by you against me and by your action of feeding completely false information to various media outlets. The purpose of this letter is to place on record the correct facts pertaining to each of your allegations made to the CBI, CVC and media.”
Reached for comments, Ashok Babu, while acknowledging that he had received the notice, said that the “matter was sub judice”.
Sources close to him said the whole development was a matter of great concern for whistleblowers. “How can the content of a complaint filed by a government servant with the CBI, Ministry of Defence and the CVC reach a private individual, an individual against whom the complaint is filed? A senior government servant is being threatened with a notice for whistleblowing against corruption,” an official source said.
The following article written by DR BHAGWAN D AGGARWAL, a biomedical scientist and a healthcare industry consultant with significant international experiences at pharmaceutical consulting companies and global research institutions, published in dailyO on 4th June is perfect picture of today R&D scenario of India.
We are daily witnessing such worth of 1000 of crores scientific instruments purchasing not based on utility, but their higher prices – because higher price gets more “commission” and exhaust the budget. If GOI investigate sincerely, then only one organization DRDO can fetch 50000 crores rupees instruments which are lying idly without any use in more than 50 labs.
I’m a scientist. I returned from US to find why India can’t become a superpower
It is high time not just to make additional policies and regulations, but to disrupt the prevailing complacency, harassment and corruption.
DR BHAGWAN D AGGARWAL – 4th June 2017, daily O
India is still lagging behind in scientific research by every metric of productivity and quality.
No doubt, investment and salaries have increased significantly in research in recent years, but still not sufficient to make an impact.
The prevalent dismissal working conditions, harassment and gross mismanagement that I experienced, could be the main reasons.I would like share my experiences.
I returned to India in 2009 after working for eight years in the US, and three years in Europe at some of the best research institutions and universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University, ICGEB (Trieste, Italy).
I published several papers in the best peer-reviewed journals. Though, my salary in India was meager, I was happy to return and contribute.
I tried very hard to fit in at my institute and the organisation to deliver my best in research, teaching and training activities, but unfortunately, I did not get any support from anyone in my endeavors.
I was working in a national institute of occupational health but, ironically, the working conditions were dangerous and unhealthy. For instance, carcinogen-laden UV helmet was unmarked that I used unknowingly for months, open and unsecured blood contaminated and bio-hazardous waste.
The lab facilities such as culture lab was locked for weeks and the imaging microscope was locked for years. Even my office cabin was locked for years and I was forced to use a small instrument lab (for PCR and molecular biology) as my office. I did not get my requested instruments (basic and low cost) for four years. I was denied PhD guideship, though I had several peer-reviewed research publications, PhD from JNU, New Delhi (the premier university of India) and 10 years of research experience at the best institutions.
Many times, the scientific instruments are purchased, not based on utility, but their higher prices – because higher price gets more “commission”
I was denied an opportunity to present my research at the Gordon Conference even though my paper was accepted with financial assistance, and my applications for collaboration were delayed and denied.
I faced many hurdles from the administration such as no account of expenditure was provided after repeated requests. And when I tried to organise workshops or training seminars, I was forced to deal with petty issues.
I raised all these issues to the highest level (from the director of the institute to the director-general of my organisation) but no action followed. Only the harassment continued.
Still, I kept trying for almost five years, but only to get more stressed and frustrated.
At last, I resigned but my resignation was labelled as “conditional” and I was subjected to further harassment by sham investigations and inquiries and, at one point, I was intimated to surrender my passport.
My job applications to other government agencies were blocked to cause serious damage to my career and my research. I feel betrayed by the system back home.
Finally, I left the country and came back to the US.
I may not be the only one, there may be many more who returned to India and got their talent wasted and might be feeling the same way as I do.
Although, I worked in one of the most stressful and unhealthy work environments in my research career, but still I had some satisfaction of training and educating young minds and delivering lectures.
In hindsight, I think it was the students’ affection and their keen desire to learn which kept me motivated during those five years. I witnessed the worst management with no accountability and pathetic apathy.
This might be the case in most of the institutions barring only few. Many times, the scientific instruments are purchased, not based on utility, but their higher prices – because higher price gets more “commission”.
Less than 10 per cent of the instruments are ever utilised with less than 1 per cent instruments’ lifetime use time, especially for expensive equipment (Rs 5,000,000 (about US $80,000) or above).
The prevalent mismanagement, corruption and stressful and unhealthy work-environment are wasting the talent and scarce resources of a poor country and bleeding the science.
I believe whatever small percentage of the GDP India is spending on science, most of it is a waste.
Mismanagement and stressful work environment discourage any scientist or researcher to do any meaningful and quality research.
Most of the top leadership of research institutes /organisations such as directors, director-generals, vice-chancellors are appointed in their mid-50s (55+) who worked (tolerated) in the same system for 20-30 years.
This type of leadership is complacence and they are afraid to take any risk, which could jeopardise retirement or post-retirement career.
Institutions do not have any transparency, accountability and/or established grievance resolution process. Notoriously delayed justice (of 15-20 years) through judicial courts is only encouraging this practice.
Policies and regulations do not work in absence of good people to implement and enforce. It is high time for India, not just to make additional policies or regulations, but to disrupt the prevailing complacency and culture of mismanagement, harassment and corruption in institutions by recruiting the best scientists in their mid-40s from outside of institutions, as leaders with “animal spirit” (as Dr Manmohan Singh, former prime minister, used to refer to).
These young leaders can take risks to challenge the complacency and change the prevailing culture of corruption and harassment in institutions to bring the much-needed “disruptions” to boost productivity and quality of research in a country of billions.
Sumit Bhattacharjee – VISAKHAPATNAM, JULY 01, 2017 – THE HINDU
Sub-sonic cruise missile will be ready by month end, says DRDO chief
The fourth test of Nirbhay, the long rage sub-sonic cruise missile that is designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), failed on December 21 last year because of use of faulty material, said Chairman of the DRDO and Secretary of Department of Defence R&D S. Chirstopher here on Saturday.
Speaking to The Hindu after inaugurating a workshop on indigenous lithium-ion batteries for special applications, hosted by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratories (NSTL), the DRDO chief said, “The fourth test of the missile took place from the Launch Complex-III of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Balasore in Odisha and after lift-off the missile developed snags over one of its wings, started to bank on one side and veered dangerously. We had to activate the ‘self-destruct’ mechanism to kill it mid-air. On investigation, it was found out that the vendor who manufactured it used recycled material for one of the key components that operates the wings of the missile and that was the reason why it failed. The strength of the recycled material was not sufficient to operate the parameters. Though the vendor followed all specifications, the use of re-cycle material was not disclosed.”
But, according to Dr. Christopher, the same vendor had been told to produce another one ‘free of cost’ under the same specifications but without any short-cuts. “Everything was right in the missile, only this faulty material caused the failure. But now it will be ready by July end or August and we shall go for the fifth test,” he said.
Nirbhay is an all-weather, low-cost, long-range sub-sonic cruise missile capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads and is considered to be a strategic weapon.
Roadmap
Pronouncing the roadmap, Dr. Christopher said once the test was successful they would identify the production partner whom they referred to as strategic partner and would go for further variations. “It is a guided missile and right now there is no problem with the path in the higher altitude. But there are some glitches in the lower altitude and we will be working on the seekers for pin-point accuracy. The missile should be ready by next two to three years,” he said.
According to him, the DRDO is working on the strategic partner model who would have stake in the production. “This will make the agency responsible and we will get rid of the tendering process for every small thing. There may be multiple indigenous strategic partners for each of our weapon and defence systems,” he pointed out.
On the naval variant of Tejas–Mark II (light combat aircraft), Dr. Christopher said the prototype was ready and had fullfilled the parameters of ski-jump on board aircraft carriers. But the Navy had been insisting on twin engines and they were working on the power of the engines. “We are also looking for strategic partners and the partner may be a foreign firm that would provide back-end support,” he said.
The DRDO chief sounded very enthusiastic about the indigenously built AEWACS (Airbone early warning and control system). “We have already inducted one indigenously built system and it is flying from Bhatinda.”
In total, they intended to induct 15 AEWACS and of them five would be from Israel and the remaining indigenous ones.
Of the indigenous ones, two would be smaller ones mounted on Brazilian Embraer-145 jets and the remaining would be on Airbus 330. “We have already received the order for six from the Indian Air Force and the negotiations with Airbus is in the final stages. The indigenous ones will have all the features of the Israeli make so that there may not be two teams operating on two different makes,” said Dr. Christopher.
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 in respect of complaints against Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena, Director, DMSRDE, Kanpur and as per CVC the complaints has been sent to CVO, MOD for further action, with reference No. 1323/2014/Vigilance 9, 3617/2014/Vigilance 9, 5022/2014/Vigilance 9, 13248/2014/Vigilance 9, etc.
Please provide the present status of all my complaints received by your office till date from CVC.
Please provide the copy of replies received from DRDO by CVO, MOD in respect of my complaints.
Please provide the copies of your forwarding letter to DRDO in respect of my all complaints.
By Express News Service | Published: 17th May 2017 HYDERABAD: An army Colonel working in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was arrested by the Rajendranagar police on charges of raping and impregnating a degree student.
The officer maintained relationship with the girl’s mother, who has been living separately from her husband. The accused officer has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on Tuesday.
According to police, Colonel Rishi Sharma (44), was working as an administration officer at DRDO. During the course of time, he developed proximity with a woman from Upparpally in Rajendranagar. The woman has been separated from her husband for around three years.
The woman was living along with her 19-year-old daughter and elder son. About four months ago, when the girl’s mother went to Nellore in AP, Colonel Sharma allegedly used to visit their house in Upparpally on the pretext of helping the children and dropping them at college, said the police.
“One day, after dropping the girl’s brother at his college, the Colonel went back home and raped the girl. He threatened the girl to not reveal to her mother. The woman noticed the unusual growth of her daughter’s stomach and took her to a hospital where she learnt that her daughter was pregnant. She lodged a complaint based on which colonel Rishi was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on Monday,” said the police.
Appeal to clean DRDO of corrupt and anti-national officials
