Tag Archives: MOU

Drdo

Def Minister’s inquiry in DRDO’s TOT could open can of worms

4 Comments

Prateek Goyal- Friday, May 4, 2018 – Sakal Times

“Many old TOTs by DRDO given to industries will be under the scanner.”

The inquiry was ordered after a news report about the repetitions of TOT by DRDO at the Defence Expo held at Chennai in April.

Similiarly, in year 2013, one of the TOTs in question of an explosive device kit prepared by High Enegy Material Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune received a lot of media attention after the signing of MoU with a US-based company.

Sakal Times has found out that a propaganda of TOT was promoted in order to boost the image of DRDO after the corruption and nepostism in it was exposed by the audit report of Comptroller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) in 2012.In order to Boost the image of DRDO Avinash Chander,the then director of DRDO in year 2013 served the old wine in new bottle and created a propoganda for reverse technology transfer to USA by forged TOT of explosive device kit prepared at HEMRL, Pune.

According to documents with Sakal Times, the patent for EDK was falsified and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed with one South Carolina-based company – which was actually a car accessories’ company with only two employees.

Murky background
HEMRL developed the EDK technology and applied to patent it in March 1996. In February 2010, the EDK was patented in the name of its inventors – Rabindra Kumar Sinha, Jaman Singh Gharia, Usha Devi Ramchandran Nair and Hira Lal Yadav.

Despite this, HEMRL falsely credited the innovation on the name of another scientist who was not the inventor – Reny M Roy – and was sent to America. The letter from HEMRL stated that she is the team leader and her presence in USA for the demonstration is necessary.

Roy claims this is wrong information. “The team had not completed their work, it was us who made it operational. Nothing is on anybody’s name, please don’t do such things as DRDO is doing good work,” she said.

Sinha, one of the inventors of EDK, said, “We completed the project and we don’t know why our name has not come and it doesn’t affect us.”

The DRDO director in 2013, when the MOU was signed, Avinash Chander, is currently based in Hyderabad and defended his actions saying, “I am not responsible for this, I was not the head of HEMRL lab. You should ask the concerned director.”

Propaganda and repeated MOU of TOT

  • 2011: HEMRL signed the first MOU with Crowe and Company, a Summerville,South Carolina-based car accessory and consulting services company with annual revenue of USD 1 lakh and has two employees. The MOU was signed between the then HEMRL director Shubhanand Rao and Fay Crow, who was the president of Crowe and company. It is significant to note that before signing the MOU with Crowe and company, DRDO signed a licensing agreement for EDK with a NOIDA based company by the name of Vantage Integrated Security Solutions-which used to deal in the assembling of CCTV Cameras
  • 2012: Controller General of Defence Accounts audit reveals large scale corruption in DRDO projects and VK Saraswat, the then Director General was relieved from his services. The new Director Avinash Chander again signed an MOU with Crowe and Company in Washington DC.
  • 2013:The new Director Avinash Chander again signed an MOU with Crowe and Company in Washington DC. A big function was organized by the DRDO at US Chamber of Commerce building. A dinner party was also hosted by the then Indian Ambassador to Amercia Nirupama Roy for DRDO official and family members of Fay Crowe. A delegation of a dozen scientist including Chander, Roy and Satish Naik, a Technical officer took part in the event.
  • 2015: Chander was sacked by the then Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar. DRDO team comprised Chander, Reny Roy and Satish Naik, technical officer in addition to nine officials

DRDO’s explanation

  • Though DRDO claims that no explanation was demanded from them, Directorate of Public Interface (DPI) of DRDO has sent an explanatory letter to Defence Minister dated April 23.
  • The letter stated that TOT’s were not repeated during the Defence Expo 2018, and that earlier the technology was demonstrated to clients and later a proposal for TOT was sent to them.
  • DRDO spokesperson Manish Bhardwaj told Sakal Times, “No such inquiry has been ordered by Honourable Raksha Mantri on this matter. The news report refereed by you is factually incorrect. A rebuttal was already sent to the concerned media by the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR), Ministry of Defence.”

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

www.cooruptionindrdo.com inputs on above article

DRDO News letter of May 2011 – EDK ToT news 

DRDO News letter of September 2013 –   EDK ToT in US with same company news 

Avinash Chander launching EDK ToT with Fay Crowe, Crowe & Company, US 

Dinner party was also hosted by the then Indian Ambassador to Amercia Nirupama Roy for DRDO official and family members of Fay Crowe.

 

Drdo

BIO-TOILETS STINK AS COMMUTERS, AUTHORITIES PLAY BLAME GAME

7 Comments

By Rajendra B Aklekar, Mumbai Mirror | May 5, 2015, 12.05 AM IST
Bio-toilets that were fitted in train coaches amid much fanfare are already stinking, with some passengers complaining that the stench is so foul that it is unbearable for those sitting near the toilets.

biotoilet mumbai mirrorAccording to Central Railway’s (CR) official data, of the 4,000 coaches of the long-distance CR trains, 450 were fitted with bio-toilets. The project had gathered momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and urged authorities to maintain cleanliness in trains and on tracks. A few coaches in the Rajdhani Express trains of Western Railway (WR) were also provided with bio-toilets.

Unlike traditional train toilets that discharge waste on the tracks, the new system treats the waste inside a tank with the help of bacteria and converts it into harmless gas and water. The Railways had signed MoU with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the project, and the anaerobic bacteria were procured from Antarctica.

Commuters, however, are far from impressed. Nitin Parmar, secretary of Karjat Railway Passenger Association, said, “In most trains with bio-toilets, the stench is unbearable — not only near the toilet but also within the coaches. This is not a one-off thing. I have been observing this often. Biotoilets have been fitted in random coaches, and they all have this foul smell. Passengers sitting near the door have to keep their noses covered all the time. The activist travels between Mumbai and Pune regularly and has done a survey of trains with bio-toilets.

In fact, a maintenance worker to whom Mumbai Mirror spoke, also complained about the unbearable stench. “The technology is good but it is not being maintained the way it should be. There are a lot of processes to maintain but train coaches cannot be practically detained for such a long time as they are always scheduled for runs. If clean toilets are giving out foul smell, there must be something wrong,” he added, on the condition of anonymity.

Another staffer said, “If any foul smell is detected after the removal of waste and cleaning of the toilet, the tank has to be topped up with nearly 15 litres of bacteria. A check is conducted after a week and samples are the n sent for lab testing.”

A former member of the national railway passenger committee, Shailesh Goyal, said, “Bio-toilets are not a practical idea for trains. At many WR stations, the train is back on track within two hours. There is no time to clean the toilets. Also, bio-toilets require hi-end mechanism and a dedicated staff to keep them clean.”

Subhash Gupta, a member of the divisional railway users consultative committee, said he will raise the issue at the official railway forum next week.

While railway officials refused to speak on record, a senior official said, “Not only are all new coaches to be fitted with bio-toilets but the workshops are being instructed to fit in bio-toilets in old trains, taken up for maintenance, as well.” Another staffer said the biggest problem were the commuters themselves. “Many bio-toilets have become choked because passengers dump anything from water bottles to gutkha pouches and polythene in them. The bio-digester bins have turned into garbage bins. We will intensify awareness campaigns to avoid this,” said an official.

Drdo

Request for cancellation Post Retirement Contractual Appointment of Sh Avinash Chander as DG, DRDO to save the premier organization from the clutches of corrupt and incompetents officials

3 Comments
To                                                                                  26th November 2014
Hon’ble Shri Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister,
PMO, South Block,
New Delhi-110011

SUBJECT:   Request for cancellation Post Retirement Contractual Appointment of Sh Avinash Chander as DG, DRDO to save the premier organization from the clutches of corrupt and incompetents officials.  

Sir,

Shri Avinash Chander, DG, DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, DRD is retiring on 28 November 2014 at age of 64 after getting two unconstitutional & unrequired extensions of two-two years.

As a matter of fact and requirement under FR & SR, a retired Government servant cannot be appointed as Head of the Organisation with all administrative and financial powers after his retirement on contract. There is provision of appointing retired Government servant on need basis following with due prescribed procedure under rules keeping in view of transparency and open opportunity for all eligible persons.

DRDO is very prestigious organisation  for Defence related indigenous R&D with budget of Rs. 15283 crore for FY 2014-2015 but what is fate of 90% + projects of DRDO, Government, media and public knows very well.

DRDO is better known as “Delay Research & Derailed Organisation” and you are committed to revamp DRDO. The whole nation especially the scientific community appreciated your steps and measures taken for DRDO in present and planned for future.

Appointment of Hon’ble Manohar Parrikar, an eminent engineer from IIT as Defence Minister by you was very much appreciated by nation, media and scientific community.

That will definitely help overhauling and revamping of DRDO by eradication of corruption from DRDO, maintain accountability and transparency in DRDO.

The integrity and moral fibre are two main attributes of Government servant but unfortunately Shri Avinash Chander could not maintain these two in his tenure from 31st May 2013 to 28 Nov 2014 as DG, DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, DRD which is very much evident from the various complaints pending against him before PMO and Cabinet Secretariat.

In his tenure, number of court cases increases in many fold,  Sh Chander set example to promoting and recruiting incompetents (Ms Tesy Thomas promotion to Sc H and her husband CMDR S K Patel‘s appointment as Sc G and after few days he was made Director, QRS). This act follows discontentment among the senior scientists of DRDO.

The number of SC/ST and minorities complaints increased.

Not able to manage media instead of two crores budget for Public Interface.

There was not a single mentionable product/technology delivered instead Sh Chander tried to show the old products again like EDK the MoU was already signed by DRDO in 2012, Chander spends crores of rupees for that in US visit for unacceptable technology, no evidence are of reorganizations of said product internationally because there are  numerous advance technologies are available.

Secondly, the Bio digester, DRDO three times earlier dedicated this to nation and interestingly it is not as said by DRDO spin off technology it is mere only gobar gas plant in the name of innovation of DRDO the said microbes are already found in cow dunk.  One senior scientist from DRDO itself already exposes this propaganda of DRDO to CVC

The contractual appointment after retirement has also been challenged by some citizens before Government and media also highlighted the pro & cons of this matter.

Therefore, it is requested to Hon’ble Sir to cancel the post retirement contractual appointment of Shri Avinash Chander, DG, DRDO, SA to RM and Secretary, DRD before 30th November, the date of his retirement and not continue him further in DRDO in interest of nation and scientists of DRDO.

Regards
Prabhu Dandriyal
www.corruptionindrdo.com
 
Copy to:
Hon’ble Sh ManoharParrikar
Defence Minister
Room No -104, Min. of Defence
South Block
New Deli-110011
Drdo

Response: US based Firm Crowe & Company, South Carolina, USA signed MoU with DRDO, Ministry of Defence

Leave a comment

To-  1.     DRDO – dpidrdo@hqr.drdo.in”, “dpidrdo@gmail.com”
        2.     USIBC-   usibc@uschamber.com,nmehra@usibc.com
        3.    Department of Defense – erms@osd.mil
        4.    Embassy of India Washington, D.C., USA

Dear Sir,

                 The following mail received from the office of honorable Nancy Powell the ambassador of US in India in reply of my request. She has recommended referring the request raised to the source companies/organizations   (i.e., DRDO, USIBC and U.S. Army) or the Embassy of India Washington, D.C., USA.

I request you to please provide following available informations in your end.

With warm regards

Prabhu Dayal Dandriyal                                                                                                            21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008                                                                                     Phone – 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879, e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com                         website – www.corruptionindrdo.com

NDBox WebMail <NDBoxWebMail@state.gov>
to:        “prabhudoon@gmail.com” <prabhudoon@gmail.com>
date:    Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 3:58 PM
subject:            Response: US based Firm Crowe & Company, South Carolina, USA signed MoU with DRDO,    Ministry of Defence
mailed-by:      state.gov

Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 9:43 AM
Subject: Response: US based Firm Crowe & Company, South Carolina, USA signed MoU with DRDO, Ministry of Defence

Dear Prabhu Dayal Dandriyal,

Thank you for your letter dated April 12, 2014.  Ambassador Powell asked that I respond to your letter on her behalf. Unfortunately, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi does not have purview over the questions you raise.  We recommend you direct your questions to the source companies/organizations for your inquiry (i.e., DRDO, USIBC and U.S. Army) or the Embassy of India Washington, D.C., USA.

With kind regards

 From: Prabhu Dandriyal [mailto:prabhudoon@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2014 10:43 PM
To: NDBox WebMail
Subject: US based Firm Crowe & Company, South Carolina, USA signed MoU with DRDO, Ministry of Defence

To                                                                       12th April 2014
Honorable Ambassador Nancy J. Powell,
U.S. Embassy,
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri,
 New Delhi – 110021                                                                                    

Subject:  US based Firm Crowe & Company, South Carolina, USA signed MoU with DRDO, Ministry of Defence, GOI 

Honorable Madam,

                                   On 2nd August 2013 a MoU signed in US Chamber of Commerce, 615 H St NW, Washington, DC 20062 by Ms Faye Crowe, CEO, Crowe and Company 975 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 USA with Shri Avinash Chander, Scietific Adviser to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DG, DRDO in presence of then Indian Ambassador Ms Nirupama Rao.

On this occasion Dr John Holdren, Senior Adviser to the US President on S&T, Ron Somers, President, USIBC and former US Defence Secretary,William S Cohen were among the guest.

Some News papers quote ““We are hoping that (technology transfer) would be a two way street,” former US Defence Secretary William S Cohen said, adding that this is a very significant step. He described it as a very “excellent example” of reverse technology transfer.

(http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/international/us-to-manufacture-market-drdos-explosive-detection-kit/article4985275.ece)

“We are planning to introduce the EDK to the US Army and US homeland security forces and in other international markets after getting necessary approvals from the US regulatory institutions,” said Fay Crowe, CEO and president of the company.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/india-s-drdo-launches-explosive-detection-kit-in-us_866386.html

The launch of EDK in the US was significant in more ways than one, said the Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao, who described the transfer of technology as “an important milestone in the process of evolution of India-US strategic partnership.”

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/india-launches-explosive-detection-kit-in-us-1.1216355

Chander was upbeat over first of DRDO developed products getting globalised with the transfer of Indian technology to the US which not long ago looked at the DRDO “as a very reluctant supplier”.

http://www.theweekendleader.com/Headlines/1407/india’s-drdo-launches-explosive-detection-kit-in-us.html

Fay Crowe, owner of the company now manufacturing the selling these kits in the US, said she believed the kit could have prevented the Boston Marathon explosions.

The kit was launched in Washington on Friday for production and sale in the US and other countries in the region, by Crowe and Company, a South Carolina firm.

It is currently undergoing tests by US military and other security agencies but may soon be headed for use by coalition forces in Afghanistan through a non-profit

http://idrw.org/?p=2519

SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES

“This kit has a much better field deployable position than other items. We have just signed an agreement with a US company to take the technology to South America. The technology would be presented to the Columbian Defense Ministry and to Panama and across the world,” Crowe said.

It is India which holds the patent on the technology, and Crowe has paid an unspecified amount to commercialise it in the US and would also pay royalty on the EDK kits sold.

“Yes”, she said when asked if Boston bombings could have been prevented if the technology was available in the US at that time.

“I believe that it could have been deployed in Boston and with proper training if the kits were in use…at large events, it would every easy to implement a posture where you can detect explosives,” she said.

THE ECONOMIC TIMES

As per available records of Ms Faye Crowe, CEO, Crowe and Company 975 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 USA in Internet is following

Crowe And Company, LLC
975 Bacons Bridge Road
Summerville, SC 29485  
Phone: (843) 991-6759
Company Contacts – Fay Crowe
Business Information
Website: crowderscustomizing.com
Location Type            – Single Location
State of Incorporation          South Carolina
Year Established        2007
Annual Revenue Estimate    100000
Employees      2
SIC Code         8742, Management Consulting Services
NAICS Code    541613, Marketing Consulting Services
Business Categories  
Distribution Channels Consultants in Summerville, SC
Distribution channels consultant
Management Consulting Services

As a vigilant citizen of India I request you to please help me to know  the truth of above mention statements made by Ms Fay Crowe CEO, Crowe and Company 975 Bacons Bridge Road Summerville, SC 29485 USA.

1.      Whether she and her company is competent for such tie with Indian Defence Premier Organization DRDO, Ministry of Defence, GOI.

2.      Whether she applied for necessary approvals from the US regulatory institutions as claimed by Ms Faye Crowe, CEO, Crowe and Company.

3.      Whether she introduced the EDK to the US Army and US homeland security forces as claimed by Ms Faye Crowe, CEO, Crowe and Company.

4.      As per news paper Ms Faye Crowe, CEO, Crowe and Company has paid an unspecified amount to commercialise it in the US and would also pay royalty on the EDK kits sold. Any approval for financial deal was worked out with DRDO.

5.      As per news paper “It is currently undergoing tests by US military and other security agencies but may soon be headed for use by coalition forces in Afghanistan through a non-profit.  In this regard information may kindly be provided.

Hope you will take it seriously for the sake of dignity of both countries.

With warm regards
Prabhu Dayal Dandriyal
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun-248008
Phone – 0135- 2787750, Mobile- 9411114879,
e-mail id prabhudoon@gmail.com  website – www.corruptionindrdo.com