NEW DELHI: Even as India celebrates its 69th year of Independence, several scientists from the country’s premier nuclear research lab Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have alleged harassment and victimisation by their supervisors.
They have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his immediate intervention in the matter. Modi is the supreme head of the Department of Atomic Energy, which controls nuclear research and development centres, including the BARC in Mumbai.
Express has reviewed the complaints, including a letter from Dr D N Yadav, a scientist in the Nuclear Recycle Group of BARC, to Modi on February 4. In his letter, Yadav cited harassment cases of at least six scientists, alleging that they were subjected to management pressure and retaliation by seniors. The issue ranges from manipulation in annual performance reports to irregularities in execution and operation of plants.
Yadav’s over 100-page note to the PM, including complaints filed by individual scientists with the director and supervisors of the BARC, raises serious questions over the functioning of the nuclear research organisation. The scientists’ representations have sought a thorough probe into the BARC’s affairs.
“Many scientists reported severe victimisation and gross irregularities, including in assessment of merit in BARC. I am enclosing representations made by some senior scientists to director, BARC, and other higher officials. However, they were simply quelled by similar false memoranda to protect the involved officials,” Yadav wrote to Modi.