Don't know why govt removed me, says ex-DRDO chief Avinash Chander

New Delhi: The Modi government  on Tuesday removed Avinash Chander, chief of top defence research organisation DRDO, 15 months before his contract was supposed to end.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi “approved the termination” of the contract of Avinash Chander with effect from 31 January, an official notification said.

Interestingly, Chander who was Secretary, Defence Research and Development cum Director General, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, had retired on 30 November last on attaining 64 years of age and he was given a contract for 18 months till 31 May next year.

The removal of Chander after being given a contract raises questions over the government action.

Chander was also the scientific advisor to the defence minister.

Analysts believe that the action could have been taken against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ’s comment that the ’laid back’ attitude in the DRDO will not be tolerated. The Prime Minister is believed to have said so following a visit to the DRDO last year.

However, Chander told The Times of India , that he saw no reason why his appointment was terminated prematurely. He said, “I have not received any letter or order terminating my services till now. I cannot comment on the reasons but it’s the government’s prerogative. I joined DRDO in August 1972 and would consider the missile programme my biggest achievement.”

The report further notes that the new government was sharply critical of the way the DRDO has been working. TOI states: “But sources said DRDO’s tardy performance and unwillingness to reform, coupled with the growing greying profile of its scientists, was probably seen as an obstacle to the government’s ‘Make in India’ policy. India has the dubious tag of being the world’s largest arms importer, with its armed forces getting over 65% of their requirements from abroad, which also makes it strategically-vulnerable.”

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.

Development of Agni range of missiles under a highly-restrictive international control regimes was possible only out of his technology forecast, perspective planning and relentless efforts, DRDO officials said.

(With inputs from PTI)