DRDO Chief Vinash Chander Sacked 15 Months Ahead Of His Contract Term For Delayed Projects And Cost Over-run In a surprise move, the union government on Tuesday terminated the contractual appointment of DRDO chief Dr. Avinash Chander with effect from January 31. Though, Avinash Chander had retired on Nov 30, 2014, but was to hold charge on contract till May 31, 2016. DRDO is facing severe criticism of delayed projects and cost over-run. The appointments committee of the Cabinet today approved the termination of the contract of Avinash Chander, Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development-cum Director General Defence Research and Development organisation and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister with effect from January 31, 2015,according to the official order issued from the Secretariat of the Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC). ACC is headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sources have told Express that Avinash Chander had received the information of governments decision, while he was boarding a flight from Hyderabad to Delhi late afternoon. Though, he will remain in office till the end of the month, but his appointments and scheduled programmes have been cancelled. Officials, who were privy to the development maintained that the Prime ministers office has received series of representation by the young scientists of the DRDO that repeated extensions of the top scientists are blocking the way of promotion prospects. Subsequently, the prime ministers office conducted a discreet probe into the aspect. In fact, in November, the Modi led government had struck down a request by the DRDO to grant four of its top scientists a service extension to ensure that the organisation does not add to its massive bank of scientists who have been working well past their retirement age. Chander who was Secretary, Defence Research and Development cum Director General, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, had retired on November 30 last year on attaining 64 years of age and he was given a contract for 18 months till May 31 next year(2016). In fact, the then Congress-led UPA government in May 2013, while appointing Avinash Chander as head of DRDO, had stated that The appointment of Shri Avinash Chander beyond his date of retirement i.e. 30 November, 2014 would be on Contract Basis with the same terms and conditions as he would be entitled to Secretary (DRD) before the date of retirement. Chanders appointment was made for a period of three years from the date of assumption of charge. But surprisingly, the appointment of Avinash Chander as Secretary, DRD was happened while was already in extension of his service 62-64 years. However, some analysts believe that the action could have been taken against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modis comment that the laid back attitude in the DRDO will not be tolerated during a visit last year to the organization. While addressing a DRDO scientists gather in the capital in August last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sent out a strong message to it by flaying the chalta hai attitude and had asked the defence research body to complete its projects before time to put India ahead in the world. Several of DRDOs projects such as the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Nag missile, Long-range Surface-to-Air missile project and the Airborne Early Warning and Control System projects have been delayed by many years and seen several cost overruns. Chander joined DRDO in 1972 after completing graduation in Electrical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. Chander is the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missile systems.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 18:39:30 +0000
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