PTI | May 12, 2015, 07.40 PM IST – The Times of India NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has registered an FIR against founder of Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) Arindam Chaudhuri based on a complaint by the University Grant Commission (UGC), which he has questioned while denying any wrong doing.
In its complaint the UGC has said the IIPM was “misleading”, “cheating” and “fooling” its students as it was not recognised by any regulatory body, police said.
“We have registered an FIR under Section 420 of IPC against IIPM Dean Arindam Choudhari and his father Malayendra Kisor Chaudhuri, who is a Director, based on the UGC complaint. We are probing the matter,” Joint CP (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said.
A notice has been sent to both of them to join the investigation, police said.
The UGC, in its complaint, has said that despite the fact its courses are not authorised, the institute is “fooling” the students by charging a hefty fee from them.
IIPM, however, has refuted all such allegations, saying that the institute was not cheating its students.
“It’s sad on a day when we launch a new program promoting entrepreneurship, the need of the hour, on the lines of our Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ dream, some sections of the media have decided to pick up a case that is 6 months old. Having said, that it’s nothing new,” IIPM dean Arindam Choudhari said in a statement.
“UGC and AICTE keep themselves in news by targeting IIPM with their lies because we have stayed consciously out of their purview and accused them of massive corruption”, he said.
“We have never claimed that the institute is recognised by any statutory body nor have we claimed we give degrees. We give certificates and write clearly everywhere that “students interested in de jure recognition of IIPM’s programmes need not apply to IIPM! Its written clearly since 1970s in our prospectus and in our websites since it came into effect,” the IIPM dean also said.
“I don’t realise how can this amount to cheating. We have faced this problem earlier also and have come out clean. This time as well, we will fight this. We have been cooperating with the police ever since the first notice came and will continue to do so as law abiding citizens,” he added.
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”.
Acknowledgingthat 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
By Manu Pubby & MEERA MOHANTY, ET Bureau | 11 May, 2015, 03.20AM IST
In an interview with ET, Parrikar spoke on alleged Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi, changes in defence procurement and PM Modi’s detractors.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar opened up to ET on a range of issues — from modernisation of the armed forces to reforms and policy changes. In an interview with ET, Parrikar spoke on alleged Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, changes in defence procurement, and PM Narendra Modi’s detractors.
Do the forces have enough money to modernise? There have been voices of a fund crunch from the three armed forces and some concerns in terms of low spending on the military.
As a percentage of total expenditure of the government of India, the spending on defence has gone up from 12.2% two years back to 13.8% this year. I think that the wise use of money is more important than just having more amount of spending on defence. I am working on it and that is why I have been asking the forces for their priorities. On the Rafale deal, for example, we are ordering just 36. If we had ordered 126, it would have been 3.75 times the cost. Yes, there are money issues but spending more effectively is more important.
What are the next steps in the Rafale deal and how will it be linked to the Made in India concept?
The basic message is that the Rafale deal has been restricted in number. By doing this, we will free about Rs 60,000-65,000 crore – money which will be used for Make in India. Even in the Rafale deal, we will have 50% offsets. So this will take care of partial Make in India. But more than that, we now have money released for activities that can be carried out in improving and speeding up the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft). We can have 10-12 squadrons as MiG 21 replacements.
The army says infiltration has come down on the Line of Control but there are indications that the international border controlled by the BSF has seen more activity. What do you attribute this to?
The IB comes under the home ministry so I cannot comment on it but in the last 2-3 months things have been calm. There was some cross-border firing in October-January but that has come down. You cannot stop someone else from doing something but when there was a proper retaliation, the resolve was clearly indicated through our reaction to their misadventure. As of now (firing) has come to a substantial low level. On the army border (LoC), the firing is way down because of stricter action that has been planned.
How do you deal with a terrorist like Lakhvi who operates from across the border?
A terrorist has to be neutralised. I am not using the word for a “suspected terrorist” but for someone we know is a terrorist. Any terrorist who has acted against the interests of this country has to be brought to book, or, if he uses violent methods, should 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. Neutralise does not mean just killing, it means any method that makes them nonfunctional — get him to jail or to make him ineffective in any manner.
How is the ministry tackling issues of defence reforms, like the appointment of a new Chief of Defence Staff and the revamping of DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organisation)?
On a joint chief, we will take a view in May-June. Forward movements will be after two months. Let the DRDO chief come in (by May 25) — a lot of things will depend on that. Also, immediately a scientific advisor will also be appointed. In the meanwhile, reforms are being worked out. For example, we are forming a missile team with DRDO, air force, army and navy representatives that will go into the full ecosystem of missile requirements — what we require, how many we require and whether we can work out improvements will be discussed. We will do a similar system for helicopters and artillery.
On Make in India, there are several projects, from artillery guns to aircraft, being discussed. Do we have the resources and right policy for these to go through?
The financial provision will be taken care of. Make in India has nothing to do with finance but to do with making in India rather than importing. We are revamping the defence procurement procedure and have formed a committee on this under Dhirendra Singh, former home secretary, and seven-eight others. By June, it should be on board.
What are your views on the necessity of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in J&K?
To continue or not with AFSPA in J&K is a decision of the home ministry…I will not express my views on it, but if the army has to operate in the area, it needs AFSPA. It is a necessity of operations and an operator cannot do without it.
PM Modi and his policies have recently come under attack from several from the BJP, including Arun Shourie.
An attack on Modi is nothing new. People always attack those who are important in the government. As far as Shourie is concerned, he does not have the full brief of what is happening. It is a nation of 125 cr people and getting results is not an easy task.
Readers’ opinions Madhu Asramam (kuwait) 36 Minutes ago If present defence minister is able to change the so called white elephant of DRDO in to an institution which can meet the challenge of delivering most sophisticated weapons to Indian defence forces-things are to be unpredictable. But it is not sure when it will be achievable.
The system would be able to tackle incoming ballistic missiles of range up to 2,000 km Written by Sushant Singh | New Delhi | Updated: May 4, 2015 3:20 am
A Ballistic Missile Defence system is based on an interceptor missile shooting down an enemy missile mid-air. It needs ground radars, command-and-control systems and data links. India’s BMD does not yet have geo-stationary satellites.
The proposed Ballistic Missile Defence system is supposed to blow enemy n-missiles out of the sky as they fly towards Delhi. But last month’s test failed, and many questions remain unanswered.
DRDO’s promises and seven tests notwithstanding, the plan to put a nuclear missile defence shield over Delhi remains a work in progress.
The unsuccessful test of an interceptor missile last month swung the spotlight back on the proposed Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. Think of Rajinikanth firing a bullet to destroy the bullet fired by the villain in mid-air. That’s what a BMD system does: it provides a city with a protective shield where an incoming enemy ballistic missile is shot down by interceptor missiles. Besides the interceptors, a BMD consists of radars — satellite-, ground-, and sea-based — to detect and track a missile and its warhead, data communication links to pass on the information, and a command and control system.
DRDO first spoke of a BMD system in December 2007. All building blocks for Phase 1 of a two-layered, fully integrated system were to be in place by 2010. In March 2010, Dr V K Saraswat of DRDO promised initial systems deployment by 2013.
On May 7, 2012, DRDO declared it had developed a Missile Defence Shield that could be put in place at short notice at two selected locations in the country, presumably Delhi and Mumbai. The system would be able to tackle incoming ballistic missiles of range up to 2,000 km. DRDO also said that long-range tracking radars, real-time data-link and mission control systems needed for the perationalisation of the BMD had been “realised”.
The fact is the BMD system is at the moment not even close to being put into operation. Last month’s unsuccessful test at the Chandipur range was the seventh time the BMD interceptor missile has been tested. It was its second failed test, although the first failure was not of an interceptor, but due to a faulty target missile.
Washington-based emerging and space technologies expert Dr Bharath Gopalaswamy said, “Interceptor technologies are test-intensive and never foolproof. We have to wait until DRDO releases the data for these tests — which I suspect they never will — but for the moment, I would contextualise this as part of a routine test phase.”
A senior DRDO official told The Indian Express that they hoped to conduct another test within a couple of months. “It is part of the development process. This was the first time we launched the interceptor missile from a canister. The target was also a more difficult one than the simulated Prithvi missiles used earlier,” the DRDO official said.
According to Gopalaswamy, this is something to be expected with hit-to-kill technologies. “Dr Saraswat (former DRDO chief) declared missile defence capabilities as operational but the failure in such tests exposes the vulnerabilities in the system,” he said.
MILES TO GO
According to Air Marshal (retd) M Matheswaran, “a development trial by DRDO will not result in an operational system so soon. We can only expect to get a technology demonstrator at the end of the ongoing tests. Even the US took three decades to produce a BMD system. A fully mature BMD system is at least a decade away. The political leadership must be made aware of this reality”.
The BMD system was proposed to India’s political leadership by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in the mid-1990s, a former cabinet secretary told The Indian Express. It was triggered by Pakistan’s acquisition of M-11 missiles from China. The proposal was to provide cover for Delhi, Mumbai and two other strategically important sites. DRDO is believed to have started work on the programme in 1999.
The armed forces were brought into the loop only a decade later, a senior Indian Air Force officer told The Indian Express. A BMD system cannot be operated in isolation; it has to be networked with existing IAF sensors for better situational awareness to avoid friendly fire, or shooting down of own aircraft or missiles. IAF already has a fully integrated air defence system, and the complexities of deployment will have to be resolved as and when the BMD is put into operation.
“There is no direct involvement of the armed forces in its development even now. The IAF, which is the end user, must be closely involved,” Matheswaran said.
DO WE NEED IT?
Many experts argue that the BMD can take on only a limited number of incoming missiles, and will invite saturation salvos from the enemy. Western non-proliferation activists have said India’s BMD will encourage Pakistan to expand its nuclear arsenal to fire multiple missiles. Bharat Karnad of the Centre for Policy Research said BMD was a “hit-and-miss” system whose reliability has been questioned by various US studies.
Last year, the US General Accountability Office questioned the reliability and efficacy of the Pentagon’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) programme, a system similar to India’s BMD. The Pentagon accepted that the GMD system provides “a limited capability against a simple threat”. Senator Tom Coburn’s report last year estimated the GMD system’s success rate at 30 per cent. DRDO has, on the other hand, promised 99.8 per cent reliability for its BMD system.
Unlike the GMD, BMD does not have early warning radars or satellite tracking of an enemy missile. The delayed detection capability reduces the time available for interception of, say, a Pakistani missile to around five minutes. Also, the BMD system can only intercept missiles launched from 900-1,000 km away; the Chinese Dong Feng-21 ballistic missile with a range of 1,700-2,000 km cannot be intercepted.
The BMD is expensive. Ballpark estimates for defending one Indian city vary from Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 2.5 lakh crore. At the higher range, it is more than India’s annual defence budget. The US continental system is estimated to have cost more than $ 100 billion so far, the GMD system $ 41 billion.
“A system that doesn’t work, costs a lot, and can’t handle multiple attacks will breed a false sense of security and compound our problems. All this talk of deployability of a BMD is premature. What we need at best is a technology demonstrator,” Karnad said.
“We have no expert committee like the US JASON to validate projects like the BMD. India has scarce resources. To use them judiciously, a high-level technical committee should validate all strategic projects proposed by DRDO or the armed forces,” he said.
Whatever the case, India’s ‘Rajinikanth’ gun can’t fire yet. As the Americans like to say, “The real problem with ballistic missile defence is that it is rocket science.”
To 8th April 2015 Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi Prime Minister PMO, Room No 152 South Block New Delhi-110011
SUBJECT: Corruption in Procurement of Universal Testing Machine (UTM) at DMSRDE,DRDO, Kanpur by Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena, Director.
Sir,
DRDO corruption is challenge for your new government; continue constructions without utilizing the existing infrastructure and unnecessary procurement of systems/equipments without justification of needs are the common mechanisms of DRDO officials for minting money.
DRDO Directors are above the all constitution provisions like Dr. A.K. Saxena, Director, DMSRDE, DRDO, Kanpur still continue the corrupt practices on last leg of his service, despite several complaints (12 complaints) at CVC and Defence Minister, DG, DRDO etc.
DG, DRDO made two fact finding committees and it seems that those committees were managed by Dr. A.K. Saxena.
CAG make observation about corrupt practices at DMSRDE in its Report No. 24 (2011-2012)
Dr. A.K. Saxena several highly costly equipment and instruments have been purchased and some are under procurement process having no utility in any project and scientific activity in DMSRDE. Method of Repeat Order is being mis-utilised for getting fatty commission from vendors of his choice.
Further regarding these irregularities at DMSRDE, Kanpur, The Comptroller & Accounts General (CAG) in its report No. 24 of 2011-12 (Defence Services) Chapter 6-DRDO Para 6.2 – Procurement/receipt of equipment after the closure or at the fag end of a project mentioned that “Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE) procured equipment worth 1.52 crore after technical completion of the project or at the fag end of a project. The project was completed with the facilities available in DMSRDE and other Labs implying that the procurement was avoidable”.
Corruption is criminal offence under Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, Indian Penal Code and CCS (Conducts) Rules 1964. On issues of Corruption the anti-corruption establishments like CVC, CBI, CVO & Ministries should be more serious as Corruption is crime against Government not against any individual. Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It is like rust that weakens the foundation of the Government System. Corruption is a termite to society and present in every system.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court said in its judgment dated 02 January 2013. Quoted here from judgment passed by a bench of justices B S Chauhan and F M Ibrahim Kalifulla in Civil Appeal Nos. 8814-8815 of 2012 the court said “Corruption in a civilised society is a disease like cancer, which if not detected in time, is sure to spread its malignancy among the polity of the country, leading to disastrous consequences,”.
Government is having policy of “Zero Tolerance for Corruption” as stated in DO letter No. 11017/04/2010-AIS-III dated March 3, 2010 which clearly states in para (3) that “The issue of corruption needs to be addressed fairly and squarely. The Government’s policy of zero tolerance for corruption must be implemented fully and effectively. Preventive vigilance should be strengthened. Transparency must be introduced in decision making and in all our systems. Stringent action must be taken against officers found guilty. Disciplinary proceedings must be expedited“.
Corruption is authority plus monopoly minus transparency. Despite my 12 complaints on corruption costing about 7.5 crores , no action has been taken against Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena, Director, DMSRDE, Kanpur by CVC, CVO MOD and Director, Vigilance & Security (CVO), DRDO HQ and Ministry of Defence.
This attitude of anti-corruption agencies towards Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena encourages him upto the extent that he again started corrupt practices in procurement at DMSRDE, Kanpur.
It is very relevant to mention here that based on my compliant to CVC on the subject “Complaint to CVC – DMSRDE FUME HOOD Procurement Case” dated 22 Jan 2014 costing Rs 45,76,005.00 the supply order was cancelled by Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena and till date Fume Hoods were not purchased in DMSRDE as there was no requirement of the said item. Fume Hoods were procured from China and these Fume Hoods are still lying at Airport, New Delhi. Based on my complaint in said case the public money of Rs. 46 Lacs was saved as Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena , Director, DMSRDE was procuring the said item on 300% high prices and getting about Rs 25 Lac as commission. The Million Dollar Question is that if there was no corruption in procurement of fume Hood then why the said Supply Order was cancelled?
On the same line a case was again indented on orders of Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena in DMSRDE, Kanpur for procurement of UTM with following details.
UTM purchase details
The same instrument was again procured by Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena who being Competent Financial Authority (CFA) gave sanction the procurement through Rubber & Adhesive Division in the year 2014 under Repeat Order. The supply order (Repeat Order) was placed to Pal Enterprises in Jan-Feb 2015 for the same item Precision UTM for Ceramic Composite (Tech. Spec. Attached) as stated above .
The following irregularities, violation of the Purchase Management 2006 (Purchase Manual of DRDO (PM 2006), criminal conspiracy and corruption establish in procurement of two UTM in DMSRDE, Kanpur on following grounds.
The item supplied by Pal Enterprises was of INSTRON make which is OEM of the said UTM purchased at DMSRDE. INSTRON (an ITW company) is a Massachusetts based manufacturer of test equipment designed to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials and components, such as Universal Testing Machines (UTM). INSTRON is having its subsidiary in India known as INSTRON INDIA PVT. LTD., 3-C, P.M. TOWER, 37, GREAMS ROAD, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Tender inquiry under Limited Tendering was not given to INSTRON India despite it was representative/Subsidiary of OEM in India.
M/s Pal Enterprises, New Delhi was registered in DMSRDE on 30 July 2013 in category of Glassware & Hardware under 20 Lac capacities. Case was initiated on 13 August 2013 and this vendor was given tender inquiry on 04 September 2013 for Scientific Instrument costing Rs. 48,37,500.00 despite this vendor not supplied in category of Scientific Instruments and even not supplied any single item in DMSRDE.
R.K. Jain, Scientist E’ was appointed as Chairman, Committee for Registration of Vendors in DMSRDE vide DO No. 10/AD dated 17.01.2013 with gross violation of PM 2006 as Chairman should be of rank Scientist ‘F’ or above.He registered Pal Enterprises on 30 July 2013 in capacity of 20 L under category Glassware and Hardware with registration number DMSRDE 013/02C/42 – 20L.
The case of Precision UTM for Ceramic Composite was indented by Dr. Suresh Kumar, Scientist ‘E’ with demand No. DMSRDE/14ACD013 dated 13 Aug 2013 and demand cost was 45 Lakh .
The case was processed under Limited Tender, although the cost of item was Rs. 45 Lakh and as per Purchase Management 2006 of DRDO, the case should be processed under open tender/Global Tender.
The tender enquiry was send to Pal Enterprises and its dummy firms despite Pal Enterprises were registered in category Glassware and Hardware under capacity of 20Lakh.
In Dec 2013-Jan 2014, for procurement of another case of Tensile Tester (UTM) from FFIT Division, Global Tender was published in News Papers for demand No. DMSRDE/TEX053 with estimated cost Rs. 49 Lac. Copy of advertisement for procurement under Global Tender is enclosed.
It clearly establish conspiracy that to procure the UTM under Limited Tender was corruption and placing the Repeat Order establish splitting of the cases as there was demand of two UTM then these should be purchased in single case but since Director Financial powers is limited upto 50 Lac and total of 02 UTM were about 97 Lac which was beyond the Director Financial Limit so bring the case within Director limit the case was spitted in two parts. One UTM was procured through Limited Tender while other through Repeat Order by pet vendor of Dr. A.K. Saxena, M/s Pal Enterprises, New Delhi.
Pal Enterprises is registered at Department of Trade & Taxes, Government of NCT, New Delhi with TIN No. 07700196997. Details are enclosed.
The detailed documents like Supply Order, Receipt & Inspection Note (RIN) and specification of the Precision UTM for Ceramic Composite purchased in Applied Chemistry Division are enclosed
CLAUSE 7.29(b) REPEAT ORDERS of PM 2006- “The repeat order is not placed to split the requirement to avoid sanction of the next higher CFA” was grossly violated as the purpose to place Repeat Order was to split the demands of two UTMs in two cases.
The Financial Powers of Directors are sanctioned vide letter No. No. DRDO/DBFA/F A/83226/M/OI /2031 /D(R&D) dated 30 July 2010. Accordingly on page 5 of the letter it has been clearly mentioned that extent of financial powers delegated to Lab Director without concurrence of Finance is upto(i) Rs.50 Lakhs in each case Labs/Estts. On Open, Global or Limited Tender basis. (ii) Upto Rs 20 Lakhs in each case concurrence of on PAC basis. (iii) Up to Rs.2 Lakh in each case on Single Tender basis. Copy of the page (5) of the letter dated 3o July 2010 is enclosed.
CENTRAL ANALYTICAL FACILTY DIVISION is exiting in DMSRDE where all costly scientific instruments and equipment are placed in centralised place to be used for the scientists of DMSRDE. Then why two UTMs costing about Rs. 97 Lakhs were purchased at DMSRDE.
This supply order has been issued on behalf of President of India, it clearly means that the Dr. A.K. Saxena, Director, DMSRDE, Kanpur was involved in criminal misconduct and breach of trust against Government.
It is requested that issue orders for through investigation and corrective measures to stop mishandling of public funds by Dr. Arvind Kumar Saxena, Director, DMSRDE, DRDO, Kanpur
It seems that DRDO losing its credibility of inventing sophisticated weapons and technologies for the well being of India. While BJP was at opposition, they made lot of cry by accusing UPA had compromised with safety of India. Now BJP begins to run the Defence Ministry with new defence mininster. But things are as usual.
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NSSrinivasan • 3 hours ago
It is well known that bangalore DRDO scientists have no work ; ADE is a place for leisure by employees who are supposed to be scientists . With excellent housing , no worth while work , these employees have already retired while in service like Bangalore ITI. What action was taken on Pune DRDO for spending Rs.5 crores for a temple chariot from defence funds GOK. Now SUVs. Will our no nonsense defence minister stop this nonsense , save defence precious funds and institute accountability on DRDO, ADE etc or close them all and save precious public funds .
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kumar • 3 hours ago
Can u deny instrument platform because some will misuse it , doesn’t sound logical.We should have technical audits and project should not be gauged by financial barometer .
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wowman kumar • 3 hours ago
not only the officials use these costly vehicles (one person carried), but also they indulge in road rage during travels to/from their offices
Today I have received RTI reply from PMO, South block, New Delhi in respect of my online RTI request in respect of PMO website regarding Interact with Honorable Prime Minister of India. It is observed that when citizen of India submitted some feedback, suggestions to improve system or information regarding misuse of fund & power by authorities, PMO officials are taking these inputs as personal grievances of individuals rather than taking inputs in national interest. The PMO officials forwarding that information directly send to concern organizations without concealing the name of individuals, it may be affect the carrier of individual or authorities can target to harass the individual.
It is requested please submit your valuable comments and suggestion on subject matter and regarding handling of RTI’s.
Top scientist Avinash Chander, who was recently ousted as chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation or DRDO has said the termination of his contract was “totally unexpected” and that he was taken by “surprise” by the swift move of the government. “Sacking is not a good word to hear after 42 years of service,” Mr Chander told NDTV, also saying that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was well within his rights to choose his team. The minister had said the government wanted younger scientists on the team.
To Date 02 February 2015Hon’bleShri Narendra ModiPrime Minister of IndiaPMO, South BlockNew Delhi-110011
SUBJECT: TRUTH OF AGNI MISSILE PROGRAMME
अग्नि मिसाइल कार्यक्रम की सच्चाई
Hon’ble Sir,
Sir, country thanks to your decision to revamp DRDO, it is requested to weed out all incompetent scientists who are sitting in top management without contributing a single product in national mission
With regards, I would like to bring the truth of AGNI missile programme of India under IGMDP. Some Scientist of DRDO who are not involved in key role the said project are making fake claims in media and interacting with media unauthorized manner violating conduct rules. DRDO is having its Directorate of Public Interface (DPI) and Shri Ravi Kumar Gupta, Director, Directorate of Public Interface is the only authorized officer in DRDO to issue any press release of DRDO and interaction with media. There is no gazette notification of MOD is available in respect of Sh Ravi Gupta as official spoke person of DRDO,MOD.
You can understand the frustration of senior scientists of DRDO who are facing such kind of discrimination where his contributions have been ignored by Shri Avinash Chander, DGR&D, DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, DRD and credit of the work has been given to mediocre scientist. These scientist got promotions, appointment as Director, fame in media & public, awards and achieving a good positions in Government establishment based on fake claims, media hype and support of Shri Avinash Chander. It is astonishing facts that how these fake claims of scientist being approved and acknowledged by their Director, DG & Peer Committee constituted for promotion in senior position and appointment as Director.
Shi Avinash Chander has been given enormous administrative and financial power by Government of India and he is holding three posts simultaneously which is totally unjustified. The practice of misuse of power & post for personal gain by SA to RM is not new and DRDO is full of such examples. The appointments of DGR&D, DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, DRD are politically motivated and real Scientists never get appointments as DRDO Chief.
This case is regarding fake claim in media, creating media hype in her favour by influencing media to write false article on her and award her imaginary titles by Ms. Tessy Thomas, Outstanding Scientist & Scientist ‘H’.
Before mentioning the full facts of the case, I would like to highlight the history of AGNI Missile Programme in brief.
Realizing the importance of guided missile weapon systems in the modern warfare, a Special Weapon Development Team (SWDT) was formed in 1958. This team was later expanded into DRDL, a full-fledged laboratory in June 1961 at the campus of Defence Science Centre, Delhi. The laboratory was moved to Hyderabad in Feb’ 1962, from where starts the story of guided missiles in India.
In 1972, Project Devil, a medium range Surface-to-Surface Missile was initiated. A large number of infrastructure and test facilities were established during this period. The main facilities established during this period included Aerodynamic, Structural and Environmental test facilities, Liquid and Solid propulsion facilities; fabrication and engineering facilities; Control, Guidance, FRP, Rubber and computer centres, ground and flight instrumentation and on board power supplies development facilities. The development of components / systems for Project Devil formed the technology bricks for the future IGMDP Programme. 1982 onwards DRDL took a quantum jump by taking design and development of various types of missiles systems simultaneously leading them to limited series production under Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme (IGMDP).Prithvi– a surface to surface missile system, Trishul– a quick reaction short range, surface to air missile system, Nag– a third generation anti-tank missile system and Akash– a medium range, surface to air missile system, besides Agni– a technology demonstrator were taken up under the Programme.
In order to meet the growing demands of development, integration, testing and quality assurance, three establishments namely Research Center Imarat (RCI), Composite Products Development Centre (CPDC), and Interim Test Range (ITR) came out under the parenthood of DRDL and a separate qualification agency Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA) were established during this period. Later these establishments acquired independent status. In the year 1999 another laboratory called ‘Advanced System Laboratory’ was carved out of DRDL to meet the specific requirements of long range systems. This group of laboratories is now called Missile Complex. [DRDL information from DRDO website]
APJ Abdul Kalam joined DRDO as Director, DRDL in 1982 and in the year 1983 IGMDP was sanctioned by Smt Indira Gandhi. Under this programme it was decided to develop five missiles with names Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Nag and Trishul. Much prior to joining Dr. Kalam in DRDL, Hyderabad, DRDO was working on R&D of missiles with good infrastructure as stated above.
Development Program’ (IGMDP).The IGMDP is one of India’s most successful defence research project, as all the missiles – Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag, Agni – have been successfully tested and inducted by the Indian armed forces.IGMDP team formed a consortium of DRDO laboratories, industries and academic institutions to build these sub-systems, components and materials.
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) was a Ministry of Defence (India) program for the research and development of a comprehensive range of missiles. The program was managed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Ordnance Factories Board in partnership with other Indian government research organisations. The project started in 1983 and ended in 2008 after these strategic missiles were successfully developed. The last major missile developed under the program was the Agni 3 intermediate-range ballistic missile which was successfully tested on 9 July 2007. On 8 January 2008, the DRDO formally announced the successful completion of the IGMDP.
FATHER OF INDIA’ AGNI MISSILEPROGRAMME – SHRI RAM NARAIN AGARWAL
Shri Ram Narain Agarwal, Padam Sri (1990), Padam Bhushan (2000)is eminent missile scientist and an aerospace engineer of India known as “Father of AGNI”series of surface to surface missilesprogramme of India. Even before joining of Dr. Kalam as Director, DRDL in 1982, Shri R. N. Agarwal he was working on technology development for missiles that were later on used in Agni missilesand he was as Head of Aerodynamics Test Facility Group in DRDL, Hyderabad. His group was then engaged in building a supersonic wind tunnel and high-altitude test facility for high-enthalpy tests. Project report on the re-entry test vehicle for re-entry technology and also for setting up the high-altitude test facility was prepared by Shri R.N. Agarwal.[Source: Article: Missile Technology –A success story Volume 22 – Issue 20, Sep. 24 – Oct. 07, 2005]
Shri Ram Narain Agarwal has worked as Program Director (AGNI) since 1983 to 2005 and as Director Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad. DRDO, Agni missile project Chief Shri R.N. Agarwal retires after 22 years working as Programme Director of Agni Project on 31 July 2005. He was recipient of DRDO’s Lifetime Achievement Award “for pioneering the development and establishment of long-range missiles systems” in the year 2004. He was fondly called as `Agni’ Agarwal’ in India’s missile circles. He has been involved from day one in this most ambitious missile project Agni, which gets international attention every time a new development is announced.The importance of Shri R.N. Agarwal in Agni Programme can be analysed as even after eligibility & seniority for Chief Controller at DRDO HQ , Ministry of Defence did not shifted him to DRDO HQ from ASL, Hyderabad. His was name was considered for SA to RM but despite being Programme Director and having seniority, his junior Shri M. Natrajan piped him and Shri M. Natrajan was appointed as SA to RM in the year 2004. This creates lot of frustration in missile scientist of DRDO.
Shri R.N. Agarwal hails from Jaipur, Rajasthan, where he had his early education. After graduation, he joined the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) at Chromepet, Chennai, for his post-graduate course in Aeronautical Engineering. After passing out from MIT, he completed his Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He has won several awards. They include Padma Sri (1990) and Padma Bhushan (2000); the Dr. Biren Roy Space Science Award (1990); the DRDO Technology Leadership Award (1998); the Chandrasekhara Saraswati National Eminence Award for Science (2000) and theDRDO Lifetime Achievement Award (2004).
In July 1983, when Indira Gandhi launched the IGMDP, Shri Agarwal wasappointed as Project Director for Agni. Within six years, the Agni-Technology Demonstrator project team was ready with the missile for its maiden flight. But the flight had to be postponed twice – first on April 20, 1989, and then on May 1, 1989. The missile finally soared into the sky from the Interim Test Range at Chandipur-on-Sea, near Balasore, Orissa, on May 22, 1989. The country had looked forward to the launch of this intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
Shri R. N. Agarwal, former Director, Advanced System Laboratory and former Program Director of Agni missile was considered to be the real architect behind the successful design of Agni Missile. Kalam himself credited in his autobiography “Wings of Fire” (अग्निकीउड़ान) the development of Agni missile to Shri Ram Narayan Agarwal, an alumnus of MIT.DRDO’s, Agni missile project Chief R.N. Agarwal retires on 31 July 2005 after his contribution in Agni from 1983-2005 for 22 years.
The controversy that surrounds Kalam’s role as “Missile Man” and in 2008, Indian media questioned his claims over his inventions such as missiles, while working in a classified missile programme. Kalam took the credit of inventing the Agni, Prithvi, and Aakash missile system. All of these were developed, researched and designed by other scientists whereas Kalam was involved in getting the funds and other logistic tasks. As a director of DRDL, Kalam named all these missiles and got all the fame. Shri R. N. Agarwal, former Director, Advanced System Laboratory and former Program Director of Agni missile was considered to be the real architect behind the successful design of Agni Missile.
However, Kalam in his own Biography “wings of Fire”, Dr.Kalam has given the credit of “Agni” development to Shri Ram Narayan Agarwal. For the Prithvi Missile project he has named Col VJ Sundaram as the brain behind this project, for Trishul Missile he gave the credit to Cmdr SR Mohan.
Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) was established in the year 2001 as a consequence of restructuring of the missile laboratories and the missile programs. Advanced Systems Laboratory is responsible for design, development and induction of long range ‘AGNI’ ballistic missiles and development of associated technologies and facilities. Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) does research and development on motors, jet vanes and structures for launch vehicles and missiles and Solid Propellant (missile fuel) in Agni Missiles was developed at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune of DRDO.
The three AGNI re-entry technology demonstrators developed and test fired during 1985 to 1992 gave the impetus to design, develop and induct a series of long range missile systems of AGNI class(A1, A2, A3). AGNI I & AGNI II have completed the development flights and are being inducted in the Services. The long range AGNI III is under development and the hardware is under qualification for the first development flight In addition to the AGNI program, ASL is working on many other Technology Development (TD), Mission Mode (MM) and infrastructure projects for LCA and other systems. There are about 240 Scientists & Officers and 250 Staff working in the LabVarious DRDO Lab/Estt and about 40 public sector and private sector are involved with ASL in development of AGNI series of missiles. The percentage of indigenous parts used in missiles of Agni series is still not known to anybody.
After retirement of Shri R.N. Agarwal, as Director, ASL on 31 July 2005, Shri Avinash Chander was appointed as Director, ASL. In the June 2011 Dr. V.G. Sekaran was appointed as Director of ASL.He served as Director, ASL from June 2011 to June 2013. Shri K. Jayaraman was Director, ASL from 13 June 2013 to 30 June 2014.Shri Avinash Chander was appointed as CCR&D(MSS) in 2011 and he was Programme Director of Agni till 31 May 2013. Later on Dr. VG Sekaran was appointed as CCR&D (MSS) in June 2013 and he is Programme Director of Agni. V G Sekaran has taken over as Director General – Missiles and Strategic Systems (MSS)with effect from 02 Sep 2013.
The first successful test flight took place on May 22, 1989, when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister. The ASL is focussed on re-entry technology, carbon composites, CNT and Agni.The Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III missiles were developed under the IGMDP. (The DRDO formally announced the successful completion of the IGMDP after the third test of Agni-III on 7 May 2008.Agni III is a product of the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad, which is a unit of DRDO. The Project Director was Dr. V.G. Sekaran and ASL Director Avinash Chander was the Programme Director of this mission.AGNI-IV
India Launches new Generation Strategic missile AGNI-IV on15 November 2011. It is a two-stage missile powered by solid propellant. It is 20 meters tall and has a launch weight of 17 tonnes. Ms Tessy Thomas was Project Director (Mission) for Agni- IV. Successful flight testing of AGNI-IVwas carried out by DRDO on19 September 2012.Ms Tessy Thomas was Project Director of Agni-IV.INDIA Successfully test fires AGNI-IV on20th January 2014. Ms Tessy Thomas was Project Director of AGNI-IV.[Press release of PIB & DRDO is enclosed].AGNI-V
A new missile Agni-V with 5,000 km range and MIRV is being developed and was tested on19 April 2012. Agni-V shares the similar design as Agni-III with an extra stage added to further increase the range by 1500 km.First test launch of Agni-V was successfully done on 19 April 2012. Dr. R.K. Gupta was Project Director for AGNI-V. The second test launch of AGNI-V was successfully done on 15 September 2013 at 08:43 am IST from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast. Dr. R.K. Gupta, Outstanding Scientist is Project Director of AGNI-V. The next test launch of Agni-V missile scheduled to be carried out in 2014 is to be of canisterized version.[Press release of DRDO is enclosed].
R.K. Gupta, Scientist ‘H’ & Outstanding Scientist was Project Director of AGNI –V in the year 2012 and 2013 at time of both the successful launch of AGNI-V on 19 April 2012 and 15 September 2013 and Ms. Tessy Thomas was not project Director of AGNI-V but Ms. Tessy Thomas told to media that she was Project Director of Agni V and media make a fake hype in favour of Ms. Tessy Thomas with motivated interest and gave her fake titles like Missile Woman & Agniputri. Ms Tessy Thomas is Project Director of AGNI-V.
Labs, Public Sector and Private Sector involved in Agni Programme
Development of the anti-ballistic missile system Agni began in 1999. Around 40 public and private companies were involved in the development of the systems. They include Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, Astra Microwave, ASL, Larsen & Toubro, Vem Technologies Private Limited and KelTech. Development of the LRTR and MFCR (Multi-function Fire Control Radar) was led by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE). Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) – Manufactures the missile and also has an associated R&D lab. Solid propellant used in Agni V is solid HTPB, which has been developed by HEMRL. Besides DRDO Labs DRDL, RCI, VRDE, LRDE, HEMRL, ITR & TBRL are involved in development of missiles under AGNI Programme.
Dr (Ms) Tessy Thomas, Outstanding Scientist/Scientist ‘H’ was appointed as Director, ASL, Hyderabad wef 25 July 2014. The competent authority has approved the appointment of Dr (Ms) Tessy Thomas, Outstanding Scientist/ Sc ‘H’ as Director, ASL, Hyderabad with immediate effect. Date of Order is 25 Jul 2014.
On 13 June 2013, Shri K. Jayaraman, a senior scientist, who was instrumental in the development of home-grown CRMC (Composite Rocket Motor Casing) technology for strategic systems, took over as the new director of Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL).
INFLUENCE AND CONTACTS WITH MEDIA BY MS TESSY THOMAS
After first launch of AGNI-V on 19 April 2012, The Indian Express published an article “In its moment of celebration, DRDO leaves out ‘Agni putri’“. Copy Enclosed. This news published on website of Indian Express at 23:41 hrs on 19 April 2012. The said article was having objections on DRDO Press Release dated 19 April 2012 in which Ms Tessy Thomas name was missing. Regarding this query Shri Ravi Kumar Gupta, director of public interface, DRDO, New Delhi, said Tessy Thomas was the director for Agni-IV. “Dr R K Gupta is the project director of Agni-V and Avinash Chander is the overall programme director,’’ he said. When asked why her name was left out, Gupta did not comment. When contacted, Agni Programme Director Chander said: “Tessy Thomas played a major role in the success of Agni-V. She was in charge of mission design and guidance systems and she was there all through. She was and still is the project director of Agni-IV but Dr R K Gupta is the project director of Agni-V. She was there at the launch today and she is a part of the team”.It establishes that Ms. Tessy Thomas influenced the media for publishing fake claims in her favour while she was not Project Director of AGNI-V but still she wants the credit of AGNI-V.
Dr V.G. Sekaran, Distinguished Scientist and Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory has been appointed as Chief Controller R&D (Missiles & Strategic Systems) and Programme Director, AGNI w.e.f. 03 June 2013. He was appointed as DG (MSS) wef 02 September 2013.
DRDL, RCI and ASL are working on R&D of Missiles in DRDO. Tessy Thomas is junior most Scientist out of all Outstanding Scientists posted in three labs of DRDO viz DRDL, RCI and ASL of DRDO. Shri K. Jayaraman was transferred from post of Director, ASL to Director, DRDL to create a vacancy of Director, ASL while such kind of practice never took place in ASL or any other Lab/Estt. of DRDO. Ignoring ten senior and more eligible Scientist then Tessy Thomas, why Shri Avinash Chander appointed Ms. Tessy Thomas as Director, ASL? Is it another story of nepotism by Shri Avinash Chander, the Guru-Shisya story of DRDO in Guru paid shisya dakhina?
Ms. Tessy Thomas worked with Avinash Chander on Guidance Systems in DRDL and ASL, Hyderabad. In media Shri Avinash Chander told that Ms Tessy Thomas is my pupil and Ms. Tessy Thomas told to media that she is student of Shri Avinash Chander. It appears that Guru Avinash Chander gave his blessings to her student Tessy Thomas by recruitment of her husband as Scientist ‘G’ and appointment of her husband Mr. S.K. Patel asDirector, QRS and appointed her as Director ASL ignoring contributions & seniority of several senior Scientists of DRDO.
FAKE CLAIMS BY MS. TESSY THOMAS- THE AGNIPUTRI & MISSILE WOMAN
She claimed herself as Project Directorof AGNI-V two times in 2012 & 2013 – In fact Programme Director of AGNI-V was Dr. R.K. Gupta not Tessy Thomas. She is Project Director of AGNI-IV.
Went in media when her name was not in Press Release of DRDO dated 19 April 2012 for AGNI-V. [Indian Express- 19 April 2012]
Try to associate herself with Dr. Kalam by calling him as Guru but on other hand she accepted that she is student of Shri Avinash Chander. Dr. Kalam worked in DRDL, Hyderabad as Director from 1982 to 1992. Ms Tessy Thomas joined DRDL in 1988 and she was posted with Shri Avinash Chander.
SolidPropellantsused in AGNI –V were developed by HEMRL, Pune but she claimed in media that she developed Solid Propellants for AGNI-V.
Managed Media to give title “AGNIPUTRI’ and ‘MISSILE WOMAN’,
Sir, it is requested kindly encourage and protect the whistle blowers of DRDO, because the DRDO top management doing their best to harass the honest scientists who are raising their voice against corruption like –
Sh. D. Muthuraja, Scientist ‘E’ from R&D Eng, Pune transferred to Nasik for just harass him and he is sitting their without work. He raised voice against Sh Guru Prasad, Director R&D Eng, Pune for diverting government funds and man power to making Silver Rath for temple.
Now the honorable MP Sh Hemant Tukaram Godse, Nashik & Dr. Dharam Vira Gandhi, Patiala asked questions regarding the Silver Rath adventure of Sh Guru Prasad, Director R&D Eng, DRDO
Sh Naveen Prakash Gupta, Scientist ‘C’, DMSRDE, Kanpur also raised corruption various corruption issues of Dr. A K Saxena, Director, DMSRDE. There are many cases of corruption allegations with documentary evidences are pending against Dr. A K Saxena. Sh Avinash Chander, Ex SA to RM also made to fact finding committees but only GOD knows what happened to facts finding of two committees. The DRDO top management specially the DOP, Dr A K Singh, is trying to his best to harass Sh Naveen Prakash Gupta by misinterpreting government rules. Sh Naveen Prakash Gupta is also transferred to Defence Lab, Tezpur a life science lab where there is no work for Sh Naveen Prakash Gupta as he is computer science background.
Dr. Gausal Khan, Scientist ‘D’ is a victim of Dr Shashi Bala Singh, Director, DIPAS and sister of Dr A K Singh, DOP, both duo harassing Dr Khan vindictively and now Dr Khan who came from USA to serve the country was again thinking to go back to USA, because now his 24 hrs utilizing to manage the court/Minority commission/police etc.
There are still lot of manipulations are going on in the name of consultancy, contracts, chairs, fellowship, IDST etc. DRDO is exploiting the technical manpower in the name of contract and other hand recruiting their incompetent, ineligible wards from their own recruitment center RAC/CEPTAM without any fear.
WHEELER ISLAND: Speaking from Wheeler Island to NDTV after the successful launch of Agni 5, the outgoing Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Avinash Chander assured the country that the missile was now in a “deliverable configuration”.
On his last day in office, he said he was feeling “elated and happy on this accomplishment”.
“I am going, leaving behind a dynamic young team that can lead India to greater heights. India will now be autonomous in missile capability,” said Dr Chander.
On a poignant note he said, “This was a great event and I could not have asked for a better farewell gift from my team which has worked hard to make India a missile superpower.”
Explaining the technicalities of the launch, Dr Chander, who is also the scientific advisor to the Defence Ministry said, “The missile lifted off 20 metres above the ground from the canister then took a sharp turn towards the target and all the events went off like clockwork. Two ships monitored the event in the Indian Ocean and the terminal event which was validated and it hit within metres of the target.”
Dr Chander’s contract ends on today – January 31, 2015. He had joined the organisation in 1972.
Appeal to clean DRDO of corrupt and anti-national officials
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has registered an FIR against founder of Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) Arindam Chaudhuri based on a complaint by the University Grant Commission (UGC), which he has questioned while denying any wrong doing.
