NEW DELHI: A senior nuclear scientist with Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) run by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is facing disciplinary action for sending a suggestion to the PMO on a critical nuclear project. His is not an isolated case; several other whistleblowers are facing the heat for approaching the PMO.
Days after assuming office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked government officials to give their suggestions directly to his office. Within months, the PMO’s desk handling grievances was flooded with hundreds of representations. To address complaints, Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha issued an instruction that writing directly to the PMO by violating the prescribed channel of communication has to be viewed seriously and is liable for disciplinary action.
Genuine whistleblowers are also facing wrath of seniors after this. Six scientists at the Nuclear Recycle Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, wrote to Modi on February 4, 2015, citing harassment within BARC and alleging that they are subjected to management pressure. One of the scientists told The Sunday Standard that they are being targeted. “Departments are more interested in punishing officers and staff rather helping clean the system. They feel that they are always right,” the scientist said.
A scientist with the DAE in Hyderabad was shunted out to a non-significant posting for writing to the PMO.
DRDO too is also not lagging behind in targeting whistleblowers. On September 19, 2015, a scientist (name withheld) wrote to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar with copies to the PMO and to the Director General of DRDO requesting to reconsider giving the Scientist of Year Award 2014 to a senior scientist of Pune-based Research & Development Establishment (Engineers) as the Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC) was investigating a corruption case against him. DRDO took disciplinary action against him.