20 SOCIAL SCIBNTIST
caught in collaboration syndrome. When the machine does not work, a game of trial and error begins because we do not know the scientific basis on which the collaborator chose particular parameters. For example, in BHEL, R&D engineers found that the repeated failures in Fans was due to faulty designs of the collaborator, M/s. KLK. Thus complex technological products cannot be made to a high calibre without technological development. There are no short-cuts. But to be fair to Indian engineers, it should be added that, with all the constraints, they are doing an excellent job. There are several examples where BHEL machines are performing excellently. The recent NTPC Singrauli station is one such example; another is Vijayawada. In both cases we would find that the managements of these utilities have put in a lot of effort in proper supervision and monitoring. It is possible with team work to produce excellence. There are also examples like Gangwal UBDC where BHEL engineers have had to open up a Canadian General Electric machine and change the design from concentric supports to eccentric supports for the thrust pads.
So the complaints against BHEL cannot be used as an argument for promoting equipment importer for inviting multinationals. In fact, the foreign suppliers are not going to bring personnel from abroad when skilled manpower is available in India. The institutions like BHEL, CEA etc. will heavily lose manpower and skills because the multinationals would be able to pay better. Those that remain would be a demoralised lot. It is a great struggle to build institutions, but it takes little effort to destroy them.
1 Dr. K. L. Rao, Cusecs Candidate, Delhi, 1979.