By Manu Pubby, ET Bureau | 30 May, 2015, 05.44AM IST
NEW DELHI: The government has sent a firm signal against the rampant culture of service extensions at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with the appointment of its new head, S Christopher, who has superseded the top four scientists who are all on their second extension at the country’s premier research body.
While questions are now being raised about the future of the four scientists – who are designated as director generals of different branches at DRDO headquarters and are several years senior in service to Christopher – the government has made its preference for promoting younger scientists clear
When DRDO chief Avinash Chander was removed from his post in January, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said that one of the reasons for the change was that the government wanted younger scientists to come up. Going by this principle, the government considered only Christopher and AM Datar for the post, with Christopher making the cut on the basis of seniority, officials said.
While Chander was removed from the job with a terse message from the cabinet secretariat, the future of the four scientists on second extension – which allows them to serve till the age of 64 against the retirement age of 60 – may not be too bright.
The second top appointment at DRDO is also being watched with much interest. The choice of GS Reddy, a missile scientist, to the newly created separate post of Scientific Advisor to the Raksha Mantri, is believed to be part of a new deep selection approach to groom talent.
A well wisher of DRDO says
Good signal from the govt. Hope things will come out to breed talent in the DRDO.
Nonaligned says
Good move, in fact long over due. SA to RM would better gone to a senior man, and Secretary, who has to innovate & execute, to a young man. Well, finally some positive action!
Sk says
At last some good has come. In this govt at least one good thing is they practice what they say and do not indulge in lip service and dilly dallying. It is now for DRDO to prove its mettle and not give excuses to the country. The country has great faith in you and your talent the youth of this country.
aaa says
no end to extensions, secretary, drdo on extension only.
Youngster says
New DG & SA must remove the re-employed retired persons from Hyderabad based missile labs since maximum employees retired from these labs were re-employed back to seat immediately as Contract workers /Consultants. They are clever in corruption practices They are working more than 10 years after retirement and earning equal payments (Pension + Job Contract payments).. Authority for re-employment of retired persons to be sacked from Lab Director so that in future no retired persons will be retained in this lab so that youngsters will have chance to work
Anonymous says
Kindly note that no DG’s do not work under another DG. Hence all the so called designated DG’s of various system should be relegated to CC( R&D)’s as per the earlier system or make them as DDG/ADG like that in DGAQA organization as per the Govt protocol. If this is not done we have got Gangster of Gang of DG like DG (Aero) Dr KTM who will definitely say he is an independent DG reporting to RM Govt of India
Well Wisher