New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday clarifies the removal of DRDO chief Avinash Chander and said that it was he who recommended that position should be held by someone from a “slightly younger generation” and not by someone on contract. Notify that the removal of DRDO chief had generated controversy.
The tenure of DRDO chief Chander had ended in November. He said it was extended on contractual basis due the previous government’s decision.
He said, “At these senior positions, they should not be on contract. There are so many eligible, (someone) should be brought among them.”
The Minister maintained that there was no controversy in this decision.
Parrikar said, “I had recommended that this position should not be held by a person on contract. We should introduce in scientific world, slightly younger generation.”
Over the question of head of DRDO, Parrikar said that he said the senior-most person of the cluster head will hold the post temporarily.
He said, “We will find out someone good from the DRDO, who has the urge for development.”
Over the sudden removal of Chander, Parrikar said, “I also got the information from you, from paper and TV.”
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last night “approved termination” of the contract of Chander with effect from January 31.
Chander was Secretary, Defence Research and Development cum Director General, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister. He had retired on November 30 last on attaining 64 years of age and was given a contract for 18 months till May 31 next year.
Bureau Report
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