ET Bureau | Jul 19, 2016
DELHI: Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar had sought Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s help to rescue a plush holiday retreat he frequents in Landour, Mussoorie, from a security dispute with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Such was the urgency of the matter that Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabha member, even cut short a trip to Australia last year just to meet Parrikar with this request, senior defence ministry officials familiar with the matter told ET.
The property in question is his famed summer den Dahlia Bank in the Landour cantonment area that has allegedly breached the 50-foot, no-construction zone next to the Institute of Technology Management, a sensitive DRDO establishment.
The home is partly owned by Tendulkar’s business partner Sanjay Narang. Parrikar is believed to have given a “patient hearing” to the Indian batting legend but desisted from making any intervention in the issue.
South Block officials told ET that the defence minister was unwilling to do so in a matter involving alleged illegal construction next to a sensitive DRDO laboratory complex.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar didn’t intervene
“Tendulkar had been trying to meet the minister and an appointment was set up. He spoke at length about the property case, which was heard out. However, no action was taken on the request put forward,” a senior official told ET.
Tendulkar didn’t respond to ET’s questions on the matter. The defence ministry declined to issue a formal comment on the issue.
The institute’s version is that Narang had obtained permissions to build tennis courts in what is called the ‘restricted construction zone’ around the establishment but instead went on to construct full-fledged buildings.
Narang did not respond to questions sent by ET but his representative, who did not want to be named, claimed that the area in dispute fell outside the zone. She further alleged that the DRDO institute had taken a “faulty stand” and had made “wrong interpretations”.
The hotelier owns several properties in and around the Landour cantonment area that has emerged as a highend tourist destination near Mussoorie.
However, these building activities have attracted controversy with a complaint on “illegal high-investment commercial activities” reaching the Central Vigilance Commission and Central Bureau of Investigation last month
Tag Archives: Rajya Sabha
Sachin Tendulkar sought Defence Minister’s help to rescue business ally’s resort in Mussoorie: Officials
By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | Jul 19, 2016
NEW DELHI: Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar had sought Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s help to rescue a plush holiday retreat he frequents in Landour, Mussoorie, from a security dispute with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Such was the urgency of the matter that Tendulkar, a Rajya Sabha member, even cut short a trip to Australia last year just to meet Parrikar with this request, senior defence ministry officials familiar with the matter told ET.
The property in question is his famed summer den Dahlia Bank in the Landour cantonment area that has allegedly breached the 50-foot, no-construction zone next to the Institute of Technology Management, a sensitive DRDO establishment.
The home is partly owned by Tendulkar’s business partner Sanjay Narang. Parrikar is believed to have given a “patient hearing” to the Indian batting legend but desisted from making any intervention in the issue.
South Block officials told ET that the defence minister was unwilling to do so in a matter involving alleged illegal construction next to a sensitive DRDO laboratory complex..
The nstituite’s version is that Narang had obtained permissions to build tennis courts in what is called the ‘restricted construction zone’ around the establishment but instead went on to construct full-fledged buildings.
Narang did not respond to questions sent by ET but his representative, who did not want to be named, claimed that the area in dispute fell outside the zone. She further alleged that the DRDO institute had taken a “faulty stand” and had made “wrong interpretations”.
The hotelier owns several properties in and around the Landour cantonment area that has emerged as a high end tourist destination near Mussoorie.
However, these building activities have attracted controversy with a complaint on “illegal high-investment commercial activities” reaching the Central Vigilance Commission and Central Bureau of Investigation last month.
Contractual appointment post-retirement not in rules
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times New Delhi, May 28, 2012
First Published: 00:18 IST(28/5/2012) | Last Updated: 00:23 IST(28/5/2012)
Faced with uncomfortable questions on the lack of clarity in allowing some of its officials to continue in service after retirement, the government has conceded that post-retirement appointment on contract basis is not covered by the rules defining extension of service.
The government’s view has come in the form of replies to questions in both Houses of Parliament on the grant of extension for coal ministry secretary and appointment of law secretary on contract basis for a period of a year and 11 months.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), in its reply to Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, has stated that “government servants are allowed to continue in service after 60 years in rare and exceptional cases.”
Owaisi wanted to know why the continuation in service of Central government officials beyond the age of 60 years was not being treated as a violation of government’s own rules.
The DoPT has made it clear that decisions in such matters are taken “on a case-to-case” basis and has also given its view on officials being employed on contract. “Appointment of an officer after superannuation (after retirement) is not covered by the provisions of Fundamental Rule 56, which deal with extension of service,” the department said in its reply.
The DoPT has stated that All India Services Rules, 1958, provide for extension in service in public interest “only to the incumbents of five posts — cabinet secretary, defence secretary, home secretary, director of Intelligence Bureau, and director of Central Bureau of Investigation.”
On the question of promotion chances of serving officers being hampered by extensions and employment on contract of retired officials, the DoPT has stated that the government is committed to ensure “promotion aspects of long-serving bureaucrats are not hampered.”
The DoPT’s reply, however, is not in line with law minister Salman Khurshid’s reply in the Rajya Sabha last week on the appointment of law secretary on contract.
Khurshid had stated that such an appointment was done “since there was a need for a high-level technical person towards handling of law”. This particular criterion does not find mention in the existing list of government rules which allow continuation of officials beyond the age of 60 years in particular fields.
Apart from the five posts mentioned above, the government rules allow specialists in health services, scientific field, those dealing with budget work and full-time members of a committee to be wound up soon, to continue in service after retirement.
Nearly 700 scientists quit DRDO in six years, says Govt
NEW DELHI, December 5, 2012 – THE HINDU
Nearly 700 scientists have resigned from India’s premier military research body DRDO in little less than six years from 2007, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on resignation of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO), Mr. Antony said a total of 637 scientists resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists up to October 31 this year.
Scientists who had resigned have either cited personal or domestic reasons for leaving DRDO, Mr. Antony said.
However, it is assumed that increased opportunities or incentives available in other organisations and industries are the main reason of such resignation, he added.
On incentives taken as corrective measures to restrict resignation of scientists from DRDO, Mr. Antony said excellent infrastructure facilities have been created at work places and residential complexes and two additional increments have been given on promotion to each grade.
To another question, Mr. Antony said DRDO is a subordinate organisation under Defence Ministry and does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work.
Asked whether DRDO enjoys a huge amount of autonomy because of its strategic nature of work, he said, “DRDO is a subordinate organisation under the Department of Defence( R&D) in Defence Ministry and is governed by central government rules and regulations.
“Therefore, DRDO as an organisation does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work.”
Revised delegation of financial powers of Director General of DRDO was carried out in 2010 to address a long standing requirement and was done after due process and deliberation, he said.
“The process of exercise of these powers has been further rationalised and a corrigendum has been issued by Department of Defence (R&D) on November 21, 2012 as a partial modification to the earlier financial powers,” the minister added.
____________________________________________________________
Question and Answer in RAJYA SABHA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 1295
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2012
Resignation of scientists from DRDO
1295 SHRI DILIPBHAI PANDYA
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that about 650 scientists have resigned from their posts in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) during the last five years;
(b) if so, the year-wise and post-wise details thereof;
(c) whether low emoluments in DRDO are the reasons for their resignation; and
(d) if so, what corrective steps are taken / proposed to be taken by Government to persuade the scientists not to resign?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF DEFENCE
(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) A total of 637 scientists have resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists upto 31st October 2012.
(b) Year-wise and post-wise details are given below:-
Post Year
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
(as on 31st October 2012)
Scientist ‘B’ 166 78 41 38 58 35
Scientist ‘C’ 86 58 18 18 21 12
Scientist ‘D’ 13 8 2 2 5 3
Scientist ‘E’ 2 5 1 3 1 –
Scientist ‘F’ 6 1 3 2 1 –
Total 273 150 65 63 86 50
No Scientist ‘G’, Scientists ‘H’ and Distinguished Scientist have resigned during 2007-2012.
(c) Scientists who had resigned have indicated their personal / domestic grounds as the reasons for leaving DRDO. However, it is assumed that increased opportunities / incentives available in other organizations / industries is the main reason of such resignation.
(d) The following incentives have been granted as corrective measures to restrict resignation of scientists from DRDO:-
• Two additional increments on promotion to each Grade.
• Up to six variable increments on promotion granted on fast track.
• Professional update allowance to all scientists.
• Fast track promotions through assessments.
•Opportunity to acquire higher qualifications at reputed institutes viz. IIT’s / IISc, etc. as DRDO sponsored candidate.
•Young Scientists, Scientist of the Year and other DRDO Awards in recognition to their contributions, etc.
• Excellent infrastructure facilities have been created at work places and residential complexes.
Government is making all efforts to grant Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS) to DRDO scientists at par with scientists of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
‘Strategic nature of work doesn’t give DRDO special powers’
Last Updated: Wednesday, December 05, 2012, 17:43 ZEENEWS.COM
New Delhi: DRDO is a subordinate organisation under Defence Ministry and does not enjoy any special power or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written reply to question whether DRDO enjoys a huge amount of autonomy because of its strategic nature of work, he said, “DRDO is a subordinate organisation under the Department of Defence R&D in Defence Ministry and is governed by central government rules and regulations.
“Therefore, DRDO as an organisation does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work.”
Revised delegation of financial powers of DG of DRDO was carried out in 2010 to address a long standing requirement and was done after due process and deliberation, he said.
“The process of exercise of these powers has been further rationalised and a corrigendum has been issued by Department of Defence (R&D) on November 21, 2012 as a partial modification to the earlier financial powers,” Antony said.
In reply to a question on resignation of scientists from DRDO, he said, “A total of 637 scientists have resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists up to October 31, 2012… Scientists who had resigned have indicated their personal or domestic grounds as the reasons for leaving DRDO.”
However, it is assumed that increased opportunities or incentives available in other organisations and industries are the main reason of such resignation, he added.
On incentives taken as corrective measures to restrict resignation of scientists from DRDO, he said excellent infrastructure facilities have been created at work places and residential complexes and two additional increments have been given on promotion to each grade.
Replying to a query on ‘One Rank One Pension’ for the ex-servicemen, Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh said, “Substantial improvements have been made in the pensions of the Armed Forces personnel after 2006. However, improvement of pensionary benefits is an ongoing process.”
He also said that the recommendations of a government committee, headed by Cabinet Secretary, have been accepted by the government and are in the process of implementation.
PTI
Lokpal: Team Anna to fast from July 25 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar
CNN-IBN- May 21, 2012 at 07:10pm IST
Jalgaon: With the Lokpal Bill once against stuck in the Rajya Sabha, Team Anna on Monday announced that it would to go on a fast again from July 25 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. While addressing a press conference in Jalgaon (Maharashtra) even as the Rajya Sabha was debating whether the Lokpal Bill should be sent to a Select Committee or not, Kejriwal said that Anna Hazare would not fast at Jantar Mantar.
“Only Team Anna members will fast,” said Kejriwal while adding that the cases against those accused of corruption should be expedited. “Special fast track courts should be set up and special investigation should be carried against those who are corrupt, and if actions are not taken place in two months, then we will agitate and call for a fast on July 25,” he said.
Hazare said that the no political party was serious about tackling corruption. “It’s just an attempt to kill time. They do not want to get Lokpal. Nobody, neither the Opposition party BJP, nor the ruling party wants Lokpal. But I am sure people of the country will force them to get Lokpal,” said Hazare.
The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government tabled the amended Lokpal Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Monday evening even as anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare once again criticised the political class of not being serious about the legislation. The Lokpal Bill, presented on the second last day of the Budget Session, was sent to a select committee after a heated debate between the government and opposition MPs.
While tabling the Bill, Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, V Narayanasamy requested the “House to consider the Bill with consensus”.
Soon after the Bill was tabled Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party stood up to move the motion that the Lokpal Bill be referred to a Select Committee leading to vociferous protests from the BJP MPs. “I move the motion that the Lokpal Bill be referred to a Select Committee. I propose that the report be given within three months,” said Agarwal.