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Sign of the times?

B. S. Raghavan

WHETHER it is a reflection of the values of the times or a transient impulse arising out of a sense of solidarity, of all persons, Dr M. S. Swaminathan, regarded as a role-model in setting standards, has been quick to take up cudgels again st the Government for removing Dr R. S. Paroda from the posts of Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Extension (DARE). It is surprising because Dr S waminathan is known for being extremely circumspect and keeping his cool, even in the most provocative situations.

His umbrage is on three counts: First, that Dr Paroda, a Padma Bhushan awardee, is a distinguished scientist with a well-established track record, besides being the chairperson of the Global Forum of Agricultural Research and fellow of reputed internatio nal academies of sciences. Second, that while it was all right for generalist career bureaucrats to be removed or transferred, the Government should desist from such a course in the case of an Abdul Kalam, or a Chidambaram or a Kasturirangan ``who are no t career bureaucrats, but professional scientists of eminence''. And third, that Dr Paroda's removal is so timed as to put him under a cloud just when he was elected to take over as the General President of the 88th session of the Indian Science Congress on January 3-7, to be attended by world-renowned scientists and inaugurated by the Prime Minister himself.

Dr Swaminathan sees in this action of the Government dangers of not only demoralising the scientific community but also of ``vested interests'' in the era of globalisation, privatisation and untrammelled intellectual property rights ``destroying'' public sector research, especially by ICAR, the only institution of its kind in the world.

His remarks find an echo in the trenchant memorandum by the Central Joint Staff Council of the ICAR to the President condemning the ``denigration of a dedicated and devoted scientist'', who spared no efforts to harness the synergy of the organisation and solve the problems of the employees.

On the other hand, we also have the internal audit report of the ICAR pointing out grave irregularities in Rs 18.87 crore worth of purchase of computers and accessories, selection of suppliers, construction of quarters and so on, and holding Dr Paroda an d three others responsible.

Does eminence in a field wash out culpability? Eminent scientists in the UK and the US have suffered long terms of imprisonment, and two have even been executed, for crimes against the State. The thesis that no notice should be taken of serious misdemean ours for fear of hurting eminent professionals or that past performance, membership of academies or presidentship of a conference should insure them against disciplinary action is too invidious to accept. In the case of Dr Paroda, the Appointments Commit tee of the Cabinet, headed by PM himself, faced with the audit findings and CVC's advice, had merely put him on hold, thereby showing him a courtesy never extended to career generalists who are straightaway suspended by the Minister or the immediate supe rior.

All are equally accountable once they become public servants.