In an unexpected move, the NDA government has decided to sack Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander.
DRDO chief Avinash Chander was removed from his post 16 monthe before his contract was to end. (HT Photo)
The appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday approved the termination of Chander’s contract with effect from January 31, a good 16 months before it was to end.
Asked to comment on the development, Chander told HT exclusively, “I am hearing this from you. It has come as a shock to me. I haven’t received any order from the government.”
The reasons for his unceremonious exit could not be immediately ascertained but the DRDO had last August come in for some sharp criticism from PM Narendra Modi over delays and cost overruns in key military programmes.
Modi had said India had the potential to be a world leader in the defence sector but was being held back by a “chalta hai” attitude.
“It is the government’s decision to end my contract but I had no indication this was coming. No idea why it has happened,” the 64-year-old said.
Chander had retired on November 30, 2014 on attaining the age of superannuation but was to hold the same charge on contract till May 31, 2016. This was in line with his appointment order issued on May 31, 2013.
The decision to sack him comes as a surprise as the government had - in an order dated November 27, 2014 - made it clear that Chander would “continue to be in operation” for the next 18 months on contract.
As DRDO chief, Chander also holds the appointments of scientific adviser to Raksha Mantri and secretary, department of defence R&D. He is credited with shaping India’s strategic missile programme.
Strangely, the ACC order (dated January 13) on Chander’s sacking was yanked off the website of department of personnel and training late Tuesday.
In a snub to Chander, the Modi government had last year turned down a request by the DRDO to grant extension to four senior scientists who had attained the age of retirement.
The DRDO was set up in 1958 to develop indigenous military technology and cut back on arms imports. But India holds the dubious distinction of being the world's largest weapons importer. It sources 70% of its defence requirements from abroad.
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