Prateek Goyal=Monday, April 2, 2018, Sakal Times
Pune: PK Mehta, Director General of city-based Armament and Combat Engineering Systems (ACE), a Defence Research and Development Organisation establishment, and Major General Ajay Gupta, Director of Ahmednagar-based Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) are facing allegations that they have misused their financial powers for sanctioning of fallacious defence projects costing Rs 93 crore.
“Projects worth Rs 93 crore sanctioned allegedly without Army requirement”
A complaint was received by the Prime Minister Office and DRDO HQ, Ministry of Defence, about sanctioning of projects without project requirement from user – the Army in this case. The matter was reported by a serving officer of Indian Army to MOD and PMO.
The complaint letter dated March 11 states that the three defence projects were aggressively pursued by Gupta and sanctioned by Mehta in later half of 2017, without any requirement from the Army.
Corruption in DRDO
A highly placed source in DRDO lab, on condition of anonymity, told Sakal Times that the process of sanctioning of technology demonstration projects in DRDO has become very casual. The projects are being sanctioned without issuance of PSQRs from users’ (Army, Navy, Air Force) participation and requirement. He said, “It’s high time the Ministry conducts an enquiry in sanctioning of projects as there is lot of corruption going on in DRDO.
The sanctioning authority with Mehta is Rs 50 crore per project while Gupta’s power is Rs 5 crore per project. Together they have sanctioned projects worth Rs 93.67 crore.”
Mehta’s defence
When Sakal Times contacted Mehta, he said, “Many a times, users are not aware of the technology so there are projects which are sanctioned without their requirement. It is sanctioned only after being reviewed by various experts. Even after the sanctioning, we have to look for the outcome, because in research and development there are chances that a project can be a failure.”
“Interest of nation is most important and we have to be independent in the manufacturing of defence projects and we are working on it under ‘Make in India’ programme of government,” added Mehta.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Gupta on phone and through texts, he was not available for comment.
Experts fume
KK Mishra, Joint Director (Retd), DRDO, said, “How can they sanction the projects without requirement from users. Defence projects are not some college projects one should remember that huge amount of money is invested in them. Participation of user is required before sanctioning of such projects. Many a times senior authorities sanction such projects for their own benefits. In past also people have sanctioned projects and gained monetary benefits from them.”
Defence expert Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (Retd) said, “It is surprising that a project has been sanctioned without requirement of user. For procurement of any armament or equipment for armed forces, user requirement is necessary. Such matters should be inquired into by Army headquarters.”
Atrocious.
How DRDO is tolerating such corrupt practices
Don’t have shame or what?
What are you up to DRDO HQ?
Come on, Don’t be paracites ??
Can’t awake a man pretending sleeping.
PMO office at least keep the promises of Honorable Prime Minister. He has been shouting at the top of his voice to end corruption.
At least have some respect for the word of Honorable Prime Minister
DRDO is authorised to do Technology Development projects without User’s requirements. And DG is in power to sanction projects upto 50Cr. hence all the sanctioned projects are within power of DG(ACE) and hence no rules violated. It takes investments to do R&D. So chill on this.
DRDO HQ is authorised to do Technology Development projects without User’s requirements. And DG is in power to sanction projects upto 50Cr. hence all the sanctioned projects are within power of DG(ACE) and he is authorised fixing the tender in his under lab this work also in ACEM Nasik when he was GM ACEM hence rules violated and also corruption and corrupt practice work . It takes investments to do R&D. So chill on this.
Comments of Shri m Joshi proves that there are many blind supporters of corruption and corrupt practices, thereby earning bad name for the country.
Don’t know what’s the vested interest is??
Can Mr Joshi provide the copy of authority in support of his comment??
Under which authority can the taxpayers money be allowed to be gulped on the whims and fancies of Shri Mehta & Maj Gen Gupta or for that matter Shri Christopher??
Government can’t allow such pocketing of money in the name of frivolous and misleading research by anyone.
It is becoming clear that Shri Christopher, DG, DRDO has failed in his duties by not initiating action against Shri Mehta, DG, ACE (misuse of financial powers) and Maj Gen Ajay Gupta, Director, VRDE (Security Breach and financial irregularity).
Such blind support by Shri Christopher, DG, DRDO raises serious questions about the integrity and loyalty
How and why Director, VRDE, involved in security breach, has been allowed to occupy the office till date? Why has he not been removed and independent enquiry ordered?
How a person whose actions amount to TREACHERY be allowed to occupy office?
Taxpayers money is being wasted or pocketed and yet nobody is bothered.
Where is Mr MM Joshi and Jai now who commented regarding authority for sanctioning projects.
Why are they not able to provide the authority in support of their statement and blind support to corrupt individuals like Mr Christopher, Mr Mehta and
Maj Gen Gupta.
Time is nearing and all of them are going to buy for their wrong deeds.