JOIN USPM's strategic advisory body NSC faces nepotism
After the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), whiff of nepotism and irregular appointments are emanating from the National Security Council (NSC), the country’s apex body that advises the prime minister on strategic issues.
Headed by National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon, the NSC secretariat has been accused of hiring people, violating employment rules. “In some cases, persons having less academic qualification have been taken in for doing sensitive job of national security,” sources said.
It is learnt that NSC secretariat had sought extension of services for two assistant directors last year, in July and February. But their cases were shot down when the files were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval.
The NSC, which is responsible for articulating perceived threats and preparing strategy for the country, comes under the PMO. Despite the PMO objection, the NSC secretariat is alleged to have gone ahead and brought them back into the fold by appointing them “consultants” to the National Security Review Task Force.
Government officials fear that controversy is waiting to happen due to lack of strict supervision to ensure accountability and transparency in administrative functioning of the sensitive organization.
The intelligence agencies is also said to have trawled through the allegations since the NSC deals with classified information.
The council secretariat works with three integrated branches - Strategic Policy group, Joint Intelligence Committee and the National Security Advisory Board. Apart from top officials drawn from various services, Union ministers of defence, external affairs, finance, home and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission are members of the secretariat.
Though NSC saw its birth in 1999 through an executive order during the NDA regime, it has been criticized by the strategic experts for failing to publicly outline the country’s broad threat assessment. There is no official document compiling national security, despite the country facing immense threat of various nature from countries as it climbs up the ladder in the new world order.
Even the NTRO reports to NSA Shiv Shankar Menon and comes under the PMO. A Comptroller and Auditor General secret report had indicted the NTRO broadly on two counts - for hiring officials on their whims and fancies and committing irregularities in purchase of Unmanned Arial Vehicles.
A Public Interest Litigation has also been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an independent inquiry to fix responsibilities for alleged gross irregularity in employing staff and purchase of drones.
The prime minister is also looking into suggestions given by former cabinet secretary Naresh Chandra headed panel on all aspects of country’s security and strategic issue.
The committee in its secret report submitted to PMO last month has dwelled into issues of streamlining intelligence and security agencies for effective outcome.