DRDO Chief Avinash Chander sacked without Notice

The government has sacked Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander without giving him any notice or intimating him through any proper channel. Avinash, who was shocked at the sudden development, was removed 16 months before the end of his contract.

He expressed shock and surprise at the news, saying he has not received any such order from the government. The appointments committee of the cabinet (ACC) approved the termination of Chander’s contract with effect from January 31.

The 64-year-old Avinash Chander said, he had no idea about the reason behind his unceremonious exit. The DRDO was criticised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the delays and high expenses in key military programmes. Modi believed that a lot of things did not happen at the DRDO, which were necessary to make India a global leader in the defence sector.

After assuming charge, the Modi Government had turned out Avinash Chander’s request to extend the service contract of four senior scientists who had attained the age of retirement. Chander had retired on November 30, 2014, but was given an extension of contract till May 31, 2016.