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DRDO whistle-blower, recognised by Parrikar, being ill treated

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Abhinandan Mishra
Published Sunday Guardian: February 27, 2021,

New Delhi: An ailing official with the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO), who was described as a “whistle-blower” by the then Defence Minister, the late Manohar Parrikar, is facing “forceful eviction” from his government house in what he has described as a “vindictive action” by the DRDO.
Prakash Singh, who belonged to the Administration cadre of DRDO, was removed from service in August 2020 for being “absent” from the job. However, the facts on record, which The Sunday Guardian has gone through, present a totally different picture.
Singh played an instrumental role in bringing to public view the alleged corruption and nepotism done by at least three director level officers with DRDO—one of whom was suspended on the last day of his job—and anomalies related to recruitment of four different scientists—of these four, the appointments of two were annulled. Singh’s immediate ordeal started in August 2016 when he was posted at Joint Cypher Bureau (JCB), a wing of the DRDO, on 18 August 2016 as a senior administration officer. Three days later, he was sent to another sub office of the same wing where he was not given any work until he stayed there till 29 November 2017 despite Singh sending multiple communications seeking “work”.
On 30 November 2017, he on his own “rejoined” the JCB office. According to Singh, he went to this office till 11 December and was allotted an access pass, an official email address and departmental work.
However, on the afternoon of 11 December 2017, his access was removed and he was stopped from entering the establishment.
Despite that, he continued to go outside his office and register his presence by showing his ID card into the CCTV camera that was installed at the gates. He continued to do so till August 2020 when he was removed from service for “absence from duty” and all his pensionary benefits, that came with 33 years of service, were stopped.
“I was not given any salary for these 21 months (from December 2017 to August 2020) despite going to register my presence every day in front of the CCTV camera, as I was not allowed to enter the premises. Now, they are coming to my house daily and asking me to vacate the house despite my case of illegal removal from service still pending in multiple forums and both my wife and I are in ill health, the certificates of which I have already submitted to the offices concerned,” Singh told The Sunday Guardian.
According to Singh, the DRDO carried out an ex-parte inquiry against him while deciding to remove him from service, and did not give him the charge-sheet and the inquiry officer in the case himself was allegedly “tainted”.
Documents accessed by The Sunday Guardian clearly show that the then Defence minister Manohar Parrikar had directed the DRDO and the Ministry of Defence “to identify and take action against the persons who trumped up false charges and committed a number of procedural irregularities with single-minded objective of harassing Shri Prakash Singh” after disciplinary proceedings were initiated against Singh. However, as per Singh, no inquiry was done by DRDO to identify these persons and rather it was he who has been continuously “targeted” since then.
The proceedings were started, as per Singh, after he brought out in the open the alleged wrongdoings within DRDO by a few. “Raksha mantri has ordered quashing of the charges framed against Shri Prakash Singh,” reads the official communication.
Another official communication by the Vigilance Department of Ministry of Defence, of October 2013, while investigating a case of irregular recruitment that was brought out in the open by Singh, has stated that the CVC was treating Singh as a “whistle blower” while stating that “it is palpable that action by some in handling the three complaints lodged by Shri Prakash Singh to CBI was taken with the motive to cause difficulties to the complainant”.
Email sent to DRDO for their response on the matter and whether any action, as directed by Parrikar, was taken to identify the persons who were harassing Singh was taken, did not elicit any response till the time the story went to press.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59pFAoi5l-Q
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High-end resorts, hotels thriving in Landour cantonment area

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By ABHINANDAN MISHRA | New Delhi | 6 May, 2017 – Sunday Guardian
Manohar Parrikar had ordered a probe, but with a change of guard in defence ministry, things have stalled.

The Institute of Technology Management, DRDO at Landour cantonment

Private resorts and hotels in Landour cantonment, Mussoorie, continue to function even though former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had ordered a probe, nearly nine months ago, to find out how they were allowed to come up in the high security sensitive zone.

Mussoorie based officials accused that the defence ministry was trying to “cover up” the matter to save the skin of “influential people” involved in the business.

The matter had first come to light in July last year when the estate officer of Institute of Technology Management (ITM), which is a Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) laboratory, wrote to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and then to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), seeking inquiry into how high-end resorts and hotels were functioning in the cantonment area when no such permission was given by the government departments concerned.

Following the uproar, Parrikar had ordered a probe. But the “probe” seems to have “died down” with a change of guard in the ministry.

“Nothing has happened in that matter. Only initially, once, a senior official had come in the last week of July to look into the matter. The resorts and hotels, without having valid permission to run, continue to function without any hindrance despite the fact that they are situated in a cantonment area. Many foreign nationals are running these resorts, so you can understand how much of a security threat is involved. It is very shameful that the MoD has chosen to ignore this issue and has taken it so casually,” a senior official associated with the DRDO said.

As per a 12 May 2016 letter, which has been accessed by this newspaper, the Landour Cantonment Board had not given any licenses to any persons or firms to run guest houses in the cantonment area.

According to officials, neither the CBI, nor the CVC nor the MoD had so far even interacted with the public servants who are aware of how the resorts and hotels were illegally constructed.

“I do not know what kind of probe they are doing. Even if they are not serious about the probe and just want to do a formality, they should have at least called those people who are aware of the matter and spoken to them before giving a clean chit to the owners of those hotels and resorts which are running illegally. These resorts could not have come-up without the complicity of hoteliers and MoD officials and hence no one wants to take the probe further,” another senior official of DRDO stated.

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Totally endorse the stand taken by Parrikar. A minister should listen to everyone but must act in accordance with constitution and for the larger good – Amita, Chennai

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The aforementioned comment was posted by Amita from Chennai on the TOI article “business ally’s resort in Mussoorie: Officials” 19th July 2016

By seeing these views, the DRDO team gets charged to fight against corruption because they feel confident that a Defence Minister like Sh. Parrikar is there to stop all corrupt influences. Maybe some time is taken and some delays occur, but ultimately this corrupt gang of DRDO will soon get a big hit for their wrong doings.

Last few days Mr. Narang continue visiting ITM with a mobile and discussed the issue with ITM officials and showed his clarifications of property and asked whether ITM had complained officially or not. If they had not, then he asked for a letter mentioning some favors.

During the time of earlier Director, Mr. Narang visited ITM with a briefcase but returned without the briefcase and coincidentally the then Director and number two both were on long leave for few days and in between the construction was done in full swing.

Here is a copy of the letter sent to CVC regarding the property developed in the cantonment area adjacent to ITM, DRDO.

 

To                                                                               Date: 06.07.2016

The Chief Vigilance Commissioner,

Satarkata Bhawan,

New Delhi

Sub: Mushrooming illegal Hotels and Guest houses in Landour Cantt. Mussoorie

Honourable Chief Vigilance Commissioner,

I am writing this letter to complain about illegal high investment commercial activities going on in Landour Cantonment probably in collusion with officials, and members of cantonment board.

If Mussoorie is called “Queen of Hills” then Lanodur Cantt. Area can be called as “Crown of the Queen”. You may be aware that the green cover of these beautiful hills is being destroyed by indiscriminate urbanization, and commercial activity turning them into concrete jungles. Unfortunately, where Cantonment areas are supposed to be an example of clean and green with strict following of law and order, and integrity but we got an example of such cantonment in Landour which seems to be working other way and helping cronies occupy prime locations and indulging in indiscriminate, illegal commercial activities. The institute of Technology Management, DRDO is located in the Landour Cantt. And is the major stakeholder of the cantonment area. As Scientist of DRDO, and Officer In charge of Works (Estate) of Institute of Technology Management, I tried to do my best in my official capacity to highlight these activities in the vicinity of institute with Cantonment board authorities including GOC of Uttarakhand Subarea  on grounds of destruction of green cover of the hill, encroachment of  ITM roads, and high density moment of foreign tourist visiting these illegal hotels and guest houses posing severe inconvenience  and security threat to DRDO lab but I found things are much murkier than what I imagined. There is a sense of systematic and deep rooted corruption in Cantonment to allow multi billion investments by big players in hospitality industry with covert protection for flourishing their business.

Since I felt I have severe limitation to tackle at an official capacity, I should write to you at personal level to deal with the situation with suitable action. There are many high end hotels and guest houses running here illegally such as Rokeby Manor, Bothwell Bank, Tabour Cottage, Pine Tree Lodge, Lanodur Bakery (All owned by Mars Hospitality Group of Mr. Sanajay Narang), La Villa Batheny, Ivy Bank, Domas Inn, Devdar Woods,  Prospect Point. When ITM wrote to CEO cantonment about how you give these guest houses permission without any parking space due to which ITM roads are being blocked! In reply he said, we gave no permission to any such guesthouses to run. This shocking reply itself shows how such high end guest houses can run without covert support of Cantonment officials and members. Majority of these guesthouses are owned by Mr. Sanajay Narang, surprisingly all these within a span of 4-5 years. Mr. Sanajay Narang also constructed a big mansion (Dahlia Bank) behind ITM violating Works of Defence ACT. ITM in a court case with him with this regard (He filed a writ petition after losing the same case in Supreme court of India) in this case too Cantt. took good sweet time to comply with orders of SC so that he gets good time to file a writ petition. These high end hotels are made with investment worth 100s of crores (Especially hotels of Mr Narang) and cater to foreign tourists, high end guests including ministers, VIPS and judges. Its impossible to run 12 hotels without permission in a cantonment area, if integrity and sanctity of the Cantonment is intact. If Cantt. Not given any such permission than they are not even charging these properties to the tune of amount chargeable from commercial properties! Moreover, Cantonment board them self indulging in such activities, such as Building of Ivy Cafe, where they have initially taken sanction for double story car parking but the lower level space was constructed in such a way so that it becomes impossible for parking cars. This basement was later rented out for a cafe. In the same way, for another property the board has taken initial sanction for Cantt. Accommodation and guest house, but leased out to a private party to run guesthouse for civil tourist. The guy who has taken lease of this property had expanded to a big cafe but lack no space for a vehicle parking. This property made serious congestion of key road leading to ITM. It sounds fishy about how sanction for constructing something else has been changed to constructing a building for entirely for different purpose.

These all activities in the Landour Cantt ruining sanctity and credibility of a cantonment and promoting rampant corruption and destroying green belt of the Crown of the Queen of the Hills (Mussoorie). I humbly request you to kindly order an enquiry on how these illegal hotels are running, who are behind it, involvement of Cantonment officials and presidents since last 6-7 years and save this serene hill from thugs and thieves. There is a serious fraud and corruption happening here, I wonder it may prove bigger than “Adarsh Housing Scam”.

Thank you

 

                                                                                                                           Landour Cantt. Mussoorie

 

Enclosures:

 

Letters related to communication with Landour Cantt.

Screenshots of web pages of these guesthouses

Other related documents

Copy to

Director General, Central Bureau of Investigation, New Delhi

Director General of Defence Estates, New Delhi (Without enclosures)

 

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Parrikar protects whistleblower and takes action against his DRDO harassers

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By Pradip R Sagar | Express News Service Published: 30th May 2016
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NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has been in South Block for just 18 months, but the 61-year-old has taken several strong measures. In a recent order with a far-reaching impact, Parrikar has not only given protection to a whistleblower, but has also ordered action against officials harassing him.

Prakash Singh, a 53-year-old Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) official, was sacked on the grounds that he was a “perpetual troublemaker”. In reality, Singh had blown the lid off alleged financial irregularities and malpractices in recruitment procedures in the country’s premier defence research agency.

As his series of complaints led to unease, he was sent on compulsory retirement in 2012.
ParrikarDespite complaining to then defence minister A K Antony, nothing was done. Last year, Singh apprised Parrikar of the root cause of his harassment and held 22 DRDO officials responsible for his persecution. Parrikar then ordered quashing of charges against Singh and action against the officials.
“The case has been examined in the light of advice of CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) and after detailed deliberations, the competent authority has ordered quashing of the charges framed against Prakash Singh,” says a Ministry of Defence order. “Those who trumped up false charges and committed a number of procedural irregularities with the single-minded objective of harassing Prakash Singh need to be identified and taken to task for their malafide action.”

Singh’s complaints of corruption in the agency and 10 DRDO scientists recruiting their family members in the organisation by flouting all norms is being investigated by the CBI.

Prakash Singh’s complaints to CBI, CVC

Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC) failed to utilise the pressure recovery system (PRS), a hi-tech equipment imported from Russia for Rs 16.58 crore. Singh alleged that the equipment was burnt in a “mysterious” fire, but DRDO said that the project was successful.

Highlighted nepotism in DRDO recruitment by senior scientists who “recruited their family members by flouting rules”. During a CBI probe, two scientists were asked to leave on the same grounds

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50% of Rafale deal value will be invested in India: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

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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”.

Acknowledging that 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

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If the army has to operate in Jammu & Kashmir, it needs AFSPA: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

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By Manu Pubby & MEERA MOHANTY, ET Bureau | 11 May, 2015, 03.20AM IST

manohar-parikar-bccl
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.

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‘DRDO Chariot’ Donation Issue Reaches Parliament, Parrikar Says Probe Ongoing

By Pradip R Sagar Published: 09th May 2015 05:00 AM – The New Indian Express

Parrikar2-PTINEW DELHI: A probe is on into allegations that a Pune-based laboratory of the country’s premier defence research agency DRDO had developed and donated a hi-tech chariot to a temple, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed Parliament on Friday.

Express in its report dated November 23 had reported that the DRDO laboratory had spent `5 crore to develop a hi-tech chariot and donated it to Alandi Temple in Pune.

Responding to a` question raised in the Lok Sabha by TDP MP C H Malla Reddy on the matter, Parrikar said in a written reply that the matter is “under inquiry”.

“Further action would be taken thereafter,” he added.

This shocking piece of information came out after a scientist of the same laboratory moved the Bombay High Court over the absurd venture and filed a complaint with the CVC.

The scientist, was made to pay for raising his voice. The DRDO, in turn, not only stripped him off from ongoing projects, but also transferred him from the centre.

Dr S Guruprasad, Director of the laboratory Research and Development Establishment (engineers), Pune, had told Express that they had built the battery-operated chariot over a year’s time and the DRDO carried out the project under the head of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The chariot can run for about 12 hours and the battery takes six hours to get fully charged. The chariot is made of carbon fibre, which has reduced its weight considerably to 1,900 kg from about 4,000 kg of the old chariot.

R&DE, Pune, has a mandate to design and develop combat engineering systems such as military bridging and mine warfare systems, development of field defence systems and, design and development of weapon launch systems such as Prithvi, Agni, Brahmos, Nirbhay, among others.

While numerous DRDO projects such as the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Nag missile, long-range surface-to-air missile and the airborne early warning and control system have been delayed and have cost much higher than their original estimates, indulging in such an expensive “religious” project have raised many eyebrows.

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Loksabha unstarred question no 6929 on Complaints against Scientists in DRDO

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As everyone aware that lot of complaints was filed against various Lab heads, but somehow DRDO management managing to protect these corrupts.

The case of CEPTAM, Director, Sh Rajesh Goyal’s  SMS scheme, Dr A K Saxena , Director, DMSRDE is on the top of corrupt scientists list, So called Prof. Dr M P Kaushik, ex Director, DRDE, regarding procurement of 100 cr ICAD Chempro100i Make: Environics, Dr A K Maini, Ex Director, LASTEC regarding fire scam of Coil Laser facility worth Rs 21 Cr, Dr. Lokendra Singh’s farzi claim of Bio digester, Director, DRDE Dr Vijay Veer minting money in the name of high altitude vegetables, Dr Shashi bala, Director, DIPAS looting in the name of improving the health condition of our jawans in extreme condition,  (Super audit report), Dr K Tamilmani companies exposed by CAG on LCA issue, Dr K D Nayak, Burman minting money in the name of customized PC from Tata powers etc. Dr Hardwar Singh legacy still running in the name of GOCO, Dr Shubhananda Rao, Resin Allied, Dr Guru Prasad Silver Rath even not going to save him, Ms Tessy Thomas appointment as Director, ASL and her husband appointment with tailor made recruitment snatched the SA post from Sh Avinash Chander.

There several cases are pending in the name of inquiry is going on ……

Now hope Parrikar sahib will going to take seriously all complaints of

dmsrde loksabha 8 may 2015

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Parrikar to separate roles of DRDO chief and scientific advisor

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Shishir Gupta, Hindustan Times, New Delhi| Updated: Mar 21, 2015 00:53 IST
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar has decided to bifurcate the job of secretary (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and scientific advisor (SA) to the minister with the latter now expected to oversee research and development and push the DRDO to a world class level for military technologies.ht parrikarFormer DRDO secretary Chander, who 11th SA to the Raksha Mantri, demitted office on January 31, 2015. South Block sources said while Parrikar has short-listed a panel of around eight young defence scientists for the DRDO job, he plans to bring in an advisor who will be tasked to advise him on the technological and hardware requirements of the armed forces as well as to help enhance technologies for the DRDO laboratories.

“How can SA to RM and DRDO chief be the same person? The job of the former was to keep an eye on the latter working. This is perhaps why the DRDO has lagged behind in developing world class defence technologies and all its major programmes are behind schedule,” said a senior official.

While Parrikar is currently informally advised by retired military officials on requirements of the armed forces, the 12th SA is expected to review the working of the DRDO and fix accountability and time-lines on development of critical technologies. The next DRDO chief will be one of the defence ministry secretaries with three other secretaries as his colleagues.

With PM Narendra Modi’s Make in India centred around defence technologies, future focus will be on DRDO labs developing exportable technologies for hardware production by defence public sector undertaking and Indian companies in joint venture with global defence contractors.

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Manohar Parrikar tells DRDO to focues on core areas; says not to take up new projects

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By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 26 Mar, 2015, 04.52AM IST
NEW DELHI: Most of the military systems it develops face time delays and cost escalation but ironically the one thing that the Defence Research and Development Organisation is considered good at by the armed forces – constructing buildings and executing civil works – is now being taken away.

Sending a clear message to India’s premier defence research agency to focus on its core functions, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has instructed that the organisation will no longer undertake civil and maintenance works of other departments, including entities like the Brahmos Missile Company and the Strategic Forces Command besides the three armed forces.

In a terse set of instructions to DRDO headquarters, Parrikar has ordered that the organisation shall no longer undertake any new civil or maintenance works projects with effect from March 12, choking a large portion of its independent revenue stream.

drdo detailsIt is a lesser known facet of the organisation but DRDO has a works department that executes construction projects – from office buildings to missile storage units, launching areas and accommodation – worth over Rs 5,000 crore every year.

Beside projects for armed forces, DRDO has recently constructed the new AICTE headquarters in Delhi.