Govt fires head of missile makers Bharat Dynamics

Although General Das’s five-year tenure with BDL was to expire on June 30, 2005, the Director (Finance) of BDL was asked to make the salary payment to the former CMD for the remaining period.

BDL is at the heart of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which began in 1993, and is involved in the manufacturing of all strategic missiles, including the Prithvi and Agni series of ballistic missiles. The BDL makes liquid-fuel engines for these nuclear-capable missiles in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Defence Ministry ordered the termination of services of Major General P. Mohan Das after approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister.

General Das was stripped of his financial powers by the government this February.

Given the sensitive nature of the organisation, the government is silent on the entire move. However, authoritative sources confirmed that the orders came in the wake of alleged ‘‘financial irregularities’’ in purchases relating to the guided missile programme.

When The Sunday Express contacted General Das in Hyderabad, he said: ‘‘I have not been given an opportunity to defend myself. I have not even been told what the charges are against me. I have neither been given indications nor I have been confronted.’’

On allegations of financial irregularities, he said: ‘‘Vendors are identified by the DRDO for the guided missile programme. If there is more than one vendor, bids are handled by BDL. It is always a joint decision. Whatever is beyond my powers goes to the BDL Board. I was given autonomous charge. I have been taking independent decisions. Some people do not like it. Some people want to use the PSUs.’’

‘‘The Intelligence Bureau has been tapping my phone for the past five-six months … I am very hurt,’’ he added. On charges of personal misdemeanor, he said: ‘‘I do not know where it comes from…two years ago there was an anonymous complaint about my private secretary being given a mobile phone … she is like my child.’’

General Das joined the BDL after completing 38 years of service in the Indian Army sappers and was awarded the Vishist Seva Medal (VSM) for work in the North-East.

However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) clearly is not happy at the delay in sacking General Das. It has asked the Department of Defence Production, under which BDL comes, for explanation on two accounts :

• To explain the circumstances under which the officer has been allowed to continue for almost one year after the submission of an adverse intelligence report and when financial powers were withdrawn from him.

• To inform the ACC as to whether institution of criminal charges is contemplated against the individual.

Prima facie inquires revealed that an adverse intelligence report against Gen Das was sent to then Defence Minister George Fernandes in May 2004 from the Atal Behari Vajpayee PMO. It is learnt that the report had cast aspersions on General Das’s personal demeanour and allegedly pointed to irregularities in BDL’s purchases.

Sources said that due to general elections, the NDA government could not take action and the case was with the UPA government. The intelligence report was based on investigation conducted since January 2004.