BHAVNA VIJ AURORA,ET Bureau | Aug 23, 2014, 12.19 PM IST – The Times of India NEW DELHI: When defence minister Arun Jaitley commissions Indian Naval Ship Kamorta on Saturday in Vizag, it will be bereft of the critical mediumrange surface-to-air missile (SAM) and advanced light towed array sonars (ALTAS) — both of which Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has failed to deliver.
This is not the first failure for DRDO, the only body in the country doing research in the field of defence systems. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commissioned INS Kolkata on August 16 in Mumbai.
That too was without the crucial long-range SAM systems and ALTAS.
Extremely unhappy about the state of affairs, Modi has put DRDO on notice. With the government approving 49% FDI in defence, the PM has asked the tardy organisation to shape-up in the face of competition from the private sector. Officials in the security setup of the country told ET that Modi has asked the defence minister to conduct a detailed review of the organisation, and if need be come out with a white paper on it.
Modi personally delivered a stern message to DRDO, asking the officers to give up their “chalta hai” (lackadaisical) attitude, during the annual award ceremony of the organisation on August 20. The PM had started the DRDO clean-up project even before he attended the award function. He ordered scrapping of a committee that was reviewing cases to grant extension of service to scientists, who had superannuated. The committee sent its recommendations to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
As many as 15 top scientists of DRDO, including Director General (DG) Avinash Chander, are on extension. Chander, in fact, is now on contract after two extensions. Incidentally, he holds three posts — Secretary (Defence) R&D, DG (DRDO) and Scientific Advisor to the defence minister. It was the previous ACC, under the UPA government, comprising Manmohan Singh, AK Antony and Sushil Kumar Shinde that had granted him extensions and finally appointed him on contract in November 2013. About six to eight people were believed to be getting extensions each year in DRDO.
“The PM was not happy about it. As per a department of personnel and training (DoPT) ruling, only the best scientists of international stature should be considered for extensions. He asked for all the details. He was told about the high attrition rate among the younger scientists,” disclosed a senior defence ministry official.
The review committee, scrapped by the government, comprised secretaries of Department of Atomic Energy, DRDO and ISRO as members. Modi is believed to have said that the secretaries of the same departments could not review extensions of their own personnel. He has now constituted the committee to include the Cabinet Secretary and secretaries of unrelated departments of science and technology and earth sciences.
“It is to weed out the dead wood that Modi made the announcement about employing only young scientists, not over the age of 35, in five of the 52 DRDO labs. It is a beginning and will send the message to everyone working in DRDO to deliver,” explained the defence ministry official.
DRDO spokesperson Ravi Gupta could not be contacted for a comment.
Rajat Pandit,TNN | Aug 21, 2014, 05.46 AM IST NEW DELHI: The “Chalta Hai” attitude will no longer do. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the DRDO to ensure delivery of cutting-edge weapon systems to the armed forces in time to keep India ahead in the national security arena.
Though the stern message was couched in mild language, the intent behind it could not be lost. Most of DRDO projects, ranging from Tejas light combat aircraft to long-range surface-to-air missile systems, after all, are running years behind schedule with huge cost overruns.
The fact that India, which aspires to be a superpower, still embarrassingly imports over 65% of its military requirements is basically due to failure of successive governments to build a strong domestic defence-industrial base (DIB) as well as tardy performance of DRDO and its 50 labs, five defence PSUs, four shipyards and 39 ordnance factories.
India does not lack the requisite scientific talent and capability but this “chalta hai” attitude (lackadaisical) has put paid to all endeavours, said Modi at the annual DRDO awards function on Wednesday.
“The world will not wait for us. We have to run ahead of time. We should not say in 2014 that a project conceived in 1992 will take some more time,” said Modi. With defence technology evolving at a rapid rate around the globe, India cannot afford to conceptualize systems that are two steps behind what will soon hit the MARKET.
“DRDO has to decide whether it will only react to the situation, or become pro-active and set the agenda for the global community. I have hopes from DRDO because I know it has the capability to perform,” said Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the DRDO Awards 2013 function in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Defence minister Arun Jaitley also stressed that defence scientists had the “intellectual talent” to turn DRDO into “a hub for defence manufacturing” if they worked towards it in the right earnest.
But this might take some doing. For one, DRDO wants more FUNDS for R&D. For another, though it has over 7,500 scientists on its rolls, it wants to attract bright youngsters from top-notch institutions like the IITs with better incentives.
“Our intake of young scientists is down to just 70 per year. This is certainly not a good sign for an innovation-centric organization. Sanction of additional manpower at the rate of 300 per year for the next seven-eight years is essential for meeting technology challenges,” said DRDO chief Avinash Chander.
But it’s equally true that DRDO itself needs to be revamped and reformed. As reported by TOI earlier, the Rama Rao Committee (RRC) in 2008 held DRDO should focus only on 8 to 10 “critical technologies” of “strategic importance”, instead of making everything from dental implants and mosquito repellents to nuclear missiles and fighter jets.
Two key RRC recommendations, for instance, to establish a new Defence Technology Commission and a commercial arm for DRDO (as a private limited company with Rs 2 crore as seed capital) are yet to be implemented.
To 14th August 2014Sh. Narendra Modi,Prime Minister,Room No – 152, PMO,South Block, NEW DELHI -110011
Subject: Invite white paper on DRDO’s current scenario.
Honorable Sir,
I have to submit following points for rejuvenate DRDO and give moral boost to real honest scientific work force for fruitful and meaningful system/ arms development for end application in three services.
DRDO since its inception was committed to assist the active services and the defence production agency in modernization of front line technologies.
Until 1980 the organization followed its road map which was evolved by Dr Kothari the then front line technologies to PM. Since then we fought three successive war with our neighbors and requirements of three services increased many fold as they had to secure our borders from external threats,
The demand on DRDO increased therefore, 52 defence R&D labs scattered across the India were established in phased manner. Primary importance was given to the development of long/short range missiles, tank equaling to world class technology, light combat aircraft, nuclear powered submarine, kilo class of warships.
With foregoing objectives government of India in 1980 when Smt Indira Gandhi returned to power declared DRDO an integral part of defence working under secretary, DR&D, DG, DRDO and Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri. (the three combined post to be hold by single person)
Simultaneously the annual budget of DRDO from Rs 64 crores was raised to 1100 crores in particular for establishing modern infrastructures and accelerates indigenous technology development of arms and ammunitions.
The enhanced fund and absolute power to SA to RM without accountability derailed the road map laid by Dr. Kothari the then adviser to PM. Prior to this the post of SA to RM was honorary post
Grabbing land in the name of defence and construction of buildings disproportionate to manpower was the prime work of DRDO top bosses after mid 1980’s. Since the omission commission is hefty every DRDO top officials focused upon the infrastructure development without justified the requirements or create fake requirement in the name of ongoing projects and this being continue till date. Annual maintainace and repairs of these unused infrastructures gulps the major chunk of DRDO annual budget.
Presently in DRDO 99% officials are engaged with procurement cases and look for its completion on 31st march every year, however, they have forgotten the development of frontline technologies and some of the projects/ programs under taken in early 70’s which were suppose to completed by not later than 5 years from the date of sanction is still incomplete after 40 years the notable example are Arjun tank, GTX engine, Tejas, Nag, Akash, Trishul missiles etc.
Due to weak government at the center nobody question the authenticity of prolong time taken for development of arms/ ammunitions etc.
While successive SA to RM were able to justify the failures and where the centre rewarded those with Padama Awards, such erroneous decisions encouraged the incompetency in DRDO and at one time before the Kargil War SA to RM authenticated the conceptual proving of the arms than the development of prototype. The justification was that “ we are 100 crores people nobody can attack on us”
Immediately India witnessed the Kargil conflict in 1999 where the General Malik said “casualties in the conflict could have been reduced had the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) not come in the way”
With this poor show of DRDO during Kagil war the then PM expressed unhappiness with then SA to RM and said “ अपना घर संभालिये सब कुछ ठीक नहीं चल रहा है”
Today the condition is that the DRDO procurement policy 2006 duly approved by finance ministry is violated by top DRDO officials (SA to RM, Directors, Program Directors etc.) by splitting the orders to make them within their sanction power. Compromising the quality, favors to vendor by customizing specifications, managed foreign visits with help of suppliers all this result at the end short closing of the project without deliverable output.
Now annually DRDO consuming not less than Rs 10000 crores but ultimate looser is country with poor tax payers. “DRDO has become social commitment” Former PM Sh VP Singh said in 2nd DRDO Director’s conference at Bangalore.
Honorable Sir,
A white paper may please be sought from DRDO and it should be made public so that 49% FDI in defence sector could be justified.
Following points to be justified
Total asset of DRDO
Annual Budget
Lab wise manpower vis -a -vis Project/Programs (it will give the clear picture of delays in output)
Products developed and its production and deployments in services for each lab (it will prove the worthiness of Lab)
Awards – vis a vis output of awardees
Incentives given on product development ( this will expose the real talent)
Patents – Granted/ applied
Man power planned and its proportionate buildup accommodation lab wise
Total cost of abandon equipments lab wise
Statistical failure data analyzing and corrective measure for deployed project like LCA/Arjun Tank/Arihant/various Missiles.
Sir, this is a honest approach to clean DRDO from corruption as you said in Kargil “Corruption is the worst plague that has ruined the country. Once it is rooted out, we will sail on the path of development smoothly,”
To 28th July 2014
Hon’ble
Shri Narendra Modi
Prime Minister
Room No. 152, PMO
South Block,
New Delhi-110011
Subject
Non-Implementation of DOPT, Govt. of India, Office Memorandums regarding submission of IPR and put the same in Public Domain in Defence Research & Development Organisation, Min. of Defence
Implementation of IPR Information System in DRDO
Hon’ble Sir,
Good Governance is core issue for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). One aspect of Good Governanceis defined as “Our model of good governance ensures that even the tallest leaders and top bureaucrats are answerable to an ordinary citizen, hailing from any part of India. The Government believes in operating in complete transparency, with every file andofficial record open for public scrutiny, except when these may endanger national security” on BJP website
Main characteristics of Good Governance are Transparency, Accountability and Zero tolerance for Corruption-Eradication of Corruption and Rule of Law.
Sir, I would like to quote your message “Lack of good governance is like diabetes which affects each and every part of the body” and “We did not get surajya (good governance) after swaraj (independence)”.
In ceremony of release of BJP Manifesto you told “DO MOOL BATON KO LEKAR HUM AAGE BADH RAHE HAIN”- First is Good Governance and second is Development.
Sir, very humbly I would quote the News – On June 4, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met all his 77 secretaries at his 7, Race Course Road residence with a call forsuggestions. “Tell me how to run my Government“.
As a matter of fact, you might agree that Government Servants are backbone of Government System and without support of them Government can’t function, as evident form your statement to secretaries of Government of India.
Sir, It is general perception today that “Corruption is a Termite for India”. Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Corruption whether in cash or kind lead generation to black money? The major source of investment of black money is immovable property as lack of implementation of transparency system in records of immovable property, it is very difficult to search & assess the value of immovable property whether declared or non-declared by an individual.
Government Employees are bound by two statutory rules, one for conduct (CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964) and other for discipline (CCS (CCA) Rules 1965).
Government felt that all Government Officers (Group ‘A’) should declare their IPR regularly every year under the provisions of Rule 18(1) (ii) of CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964. Therefore, DOPT, Government of India issued various Office Memorandums to all Ministries/Departments/Organisations under Central Government regarding submission of IPR and place the same in Public Domain. These OMs are as follows:
i. N0.11013/3/2011-Estt.A dated 11th April 2011
ii. NO. 11013/3/2011-Estt. (A) dated 23 May 2011
iii. F.No. 11013/3i2011-Estt. (A) dated 8th June 2011
iv. F.No. 110131312011-Estt.(A) dated 23rd September 2013
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 59 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the Government of India has notified the rules to provide for furnishing of information and annual return containing declaration of assets and liabilities by public servants as on 31st day of March every year, to the competent authority. Copy of the DO Letter D.O. No. 5(1)/2014 – EO (PR) dated 25th July 2014 issued by DOPT is annexed.
DOPT implemented these OMs fully for IAS and other cadres directly under it and put IPR of all officers in prescribed form for IPR issued by DOPT. Software known as IAS Officer’s IPR Information System also uploaded on DOPT website by which every citizen can get the latest signed and duly filled copy IPR 2013 in prescribed Performa issued by DOPT. Recently DOPT is going to upload its latest developed software “Property Related Information System (PRISM)” by 01.08 2014 for online uploading of assets and liabilities.
DOPT issued a prescribed format for declaration of Immovable Property by Government Officers. Copy of the IPR form is annexed. Most of the Ministries/Departments/Organisations under Central Government implemented the OMs of DOPT regarding placing of IPR in public domain by updating every year and recent IPR 2013 is available on websites of these Ministries/Departments/Organisations.
Sir, recently you also asked your ministers to submit property details to by July-end despite they have already declared their assets to Election Commission in the recent elections in 2014.This shows your commitment towards Transparency and Anti-Corruption in Government of India.
Despite all facts narrated above, there is one organisation under Ministry of Defence that has assumed that it is exempted from rules framed by DOPT, Government of India.This organisation is Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
This organisation is having a budget of approx. Rs. 11500 crore in Finance Bill 2014-15 out of which DRDO is spending 48-50% in procurement. So about Rs.5500 crore is being expenditure in procurements. The major source of corruption is procurement and best source for investment of back money is immovable property at manipulated cost.
Transparency and corruption are correlated like light and darkness. Simply where transparency is maintained there will be no corruption and where no transparency in the system then definitely corruption exists there. DRDO chief do not believe in transparency and rule of law the two main features of Good Governance. It can be simply established by non-placing IPR 2013 of 7500 Scientists of DRDO including Shri Avinash Chander and 11 Director General & Chief Controllers.
On perusal of DRDO website, I found surprising facts which stunned me and forced me to write irresponsible fact of DRDO to Hon’ble Prime Minister Sir. Since 2011 the IPRs of all DRDO Scientist including Shri Avinash Chander has not been updated. DRDO is grossly violating the DOPT; Government of India OMs regarding placing of every year updated IPR in public domain. Besides this DRDO is not using the prescribed Form of IPR specified by DOPT and not placed copies of these IPR 2013 duly signed by individuals on its website?
Sri Avinash Chander chief of DRDO is holding the three posts under Government of India viz DGR&D, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri and Secretary, Defence R&D. Why he is not maintaining transparency and Rule of law in IPR matter in DRDO? The answer is quite understandable in light of above narrated facts. Besides Sri Avinash Chander, Dr. A.K. Singh, Director, Directorate of Personnel (DOP) is fully responsible for such kind of wilful and gross negligence in non-implementation of Government of India orders regarding placing of IPR 2013 in public domain in prescribed Performa.
Sir, for your kind perusal following documents is annexed as follows:
i. IPR Form issued by DOPT.
ii. Snaps of IAS IPR Information System.
iii. IPR details of Sri Avinash Chander, Secretary, DR&Dand SA to RM, Dr. V. Bhujanaga Rao, DG (NS&M) and Dr. A.K. Singh, Director, DOP of 2011 in tabular form available on DRDO website. (Not in DOPT IPR Form)
Sir, non-transparency indicates corruption in the organisation. So I humbly request you to take stern action against the officers in DRDO responsible for such kind of gross violation of Government of India orders & policies for Good Governance and give directive to Sri Avinash Chander, DGR&D and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri, Secretary, DRD for managing to upload the IPR 2013 of all 7500 Scientists of DRDO and implementation of IPR Information System of DOPT in DRDO.
Hon’ble Defence Minister, Ministry of Defnce, South Block, New Delhi
Hon’ble Minister of State, Min. of Personnel, PG & Pensions, North Block, New Delhi.
LIST OF ANNEXURES
i. N0.11013/3/2011-Estt.A dated 11th April 2011
ii. NO. 11013/3/2011-Estt. (A) dated 23 May 2011
iii. F.No. 11013/3i2011-Estt. (A) dated 8th June 2011
iv. F.No. 110131312011-Estt.(A) dated 23rd September 2013
v. DO Letter D.O. No. 5(1)/2014 – EO (PR) dated 25th July 2014 of DOPT
vi. IPR Form issued by DOPT.
vii. Snaps of IAS IPR Information System
viii. IPR 2011 of Sri Avinash Chander, Secretary, DRD& DGR&D, DRDO
ix. IPR-2011 of Dr. V. BhujanagaRao, DG(NS&M), DRDO
x. IPR-2011 of Dr. A.K. Singh, Director, DOP, DRDO
xi. Budget of DRDO 2014-2015
DOPT-OM-N0.11013.-3-.2011-Estt.A-dated-11th-April-2011DOPT OM NO. 11013/3/2011-Estt. (A) dated 23 May 2011DOPT F.No. 11013/3i2011-Estt. (A) dated 8th June 2011DOPT F.No. 110131312011-Estt.(A) dated 23rd September 2013DO Letter D.O. No. 5(1)/2014 – EO (PR) dated 25th July 2014 of DOPTIPR Form issued by DOPTSnaps of IAS IPR Information SystemIPR 2011 of Sri Avinash Chander, Secretary, DRD& DGR&D, DRDOIPR-2011 of Dr. V. Bhujanaga Rao, DG(NS&M), DRDOIPR-2011 of Dr. A.K. Singh, Director, DOP, DRDOBudget of DRDO 2014-2015
Gursimran Khamba , Hindustan Times
October 10, 2011
First Published: 17:07 IST(10/10/2011)
Last Updated: 17:31 IST(10/10/2011
The Indian Air Force came in for a surprise today as the Nobel Foundation in Sweden nominated the Mig 21 for the Peace Prize in 2012, shortly after announcing Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman as winners for 2011. In a press release, the Nobel Foundation states “We would like
to appreciate the role of the IAF Mig-21 which is the most prominent aircraft to reject the notion of war by deciding to crash in entirety before any conflict arises, thus saving thousands of innocent lives. Unlike Barack Obama who was given the prize despite being at war with two countries, the Mig 21 is only at war with its inability to survive a flight.”
Indian defence analysts however were not amused. “This seems like an attempt by the Scandinavians to mock the equipment levels of the Indian Air Force. They are probably still peeved that the SAAB Gripen got rejected by the IAF for the 126 MMRCA fighter contract, and they’re using the Nobel Foundation as a front to publicly humiliate us. If they really had to award an Indian institution why not the DRDO which till date hasn’t made a defence product that works? Or why not Narendra Modi, whose fans would have you believe that the recently concluded Sadbhavna yatra is the biggest thing since the Dandi March?”
Left wing groups have called the announcement an imperialist conspiracy to destabalise India. Rita Menon, a prominent social activist who issues a lot of press releases that media houses throw in the trashcan without even looking said, “This is nothing but a technique for Scandinavians to penetrate the burgeoning Indian market like the white people who wanted to organize Miss World in 2006. India hasn’t given a shit about the Peace Prize ever since Gandhi didn’t get one. Mark my words, in five years they will get desperate and nominate Aamir Khan for building inter-faith peace and harmony”.
Appeal to clean DRDO of corrupt and anti-national officials
