DRDO Chief sacked?

[SrNair]

I doubt if that is the case . He was given extension already .
some thing serious must have been discovered by the Govt .
This does not seem to be just case of performance appraisal .

If at all looking at the individual performance of Mr Avinash Chander - he has delivered well .

He was a leader not an ordinarily employee.A leader should have innovative and creative ideas.AFAIK the only thing he did was the successful continuation of by products of IGMDP.
An innovative enterprise of APJ Abdul Kalam during 80's.Since then India didnt seriously worked any innovative products and experiments.
If you want innovation you should see ISRO.The guys in there is in a process of developing low cost AVATAR for commercial purpose.
We need innovation on various ways.Avinash Chander served this nation very well.But a leader should be a good manager also.
Except those missile developments we didnt see anything completely successful from DRDO.Where was he when some morons in DRDO wasted taxpayers money by developing a asilver Rath?

But he should have figured out the message of Modi in August.I expected something like this when he cancelled extension of 4 scientists

PS:This will send shiver inthe spines of DRDO.Something is really determined by Govt.

 

[JanjaWeed]

"
I am cynical because I believe the fanfare with which Modi announced dissolution of Planning commission from red fort ...was a show off ...and only later the Niti ayog was announced almost 6 months later . and there are many things are not clear yet ..

they could have thought of it before going public ...the picture that was painted that Modi has done something great by dissolving planning commission...only to realize later that it was being re structured with new name and new but much less powers and much restricted mandate . at the most it will subserve as think tank ..nobody knows yet how it is going to function .

all I worry if the move have long term ramifications ...
planning commission did very important role of long term planning of economy - the role and function that has not been assigned to Niti Ayog . who will do that mammoth task of forecasting and making amends in economic policy accordingly ? there is no clarity ...

Planning commission was never a foolproof answer for India's economy or development! It was neither a constitutional body nor statutory body.
One of the main criticism was that it never gave space or flexibility to the concerns of state governments. Modi never said he is not going to replace it with another institution of such kind. His red fort speech did not criticize the commission, but mentioned that it was needed at the time when India was still young & it served it's purpose. Over the years priorities have changed, India took a different direction from a socialist kind of economy to capitalist one. So the changes were necessary to include diverse requirement of different states. So let's not just jump in & claim that what worked for us 50 years ago still works now.
Let's not be angrez ki zamane ki jailer & say hum kabi nahi sudrenge! Different times needs different requirements.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

@Indo-guy
@sancho

Please try to understand some facts

1 Most scientists in the three strategic departments retire at 60

2 Some get extension ; 1 year ; 2year or MAXIMUM SIX YEARS as per the current rules

3 Avinash chander was ON EXTENSION till 30 November ; he got a total of FOUR years
extension ; His AGE is 64

Thereafter he was on contract basis which has now been cancelled

Nothing UN TOWARD has happened

 

[Indo-guy]

On the contrary:


You are only refering to Ajay Shuklas statements, not on the contract that was issued in 2013 till 2016 and the NDA in Nov haven't changed that contract at all, but for that time sticked to it. Why they don't do now is a different matter, but the fact remains, no extension on a contract base was issued, because his contract was running for 18 more month anyway and all they evaluated was, if they retire him before the end of the contract.

No I am not referring to Ajay Shukla's statement .

This is reported by many news papers .

DRDO chief gets extension, on contract - The Times of India

"The President is pleased to retire Avinash Chander, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development, in the Ministry of Defence from Government Service with effect from November 30, on attaining the age of superannuation. His appointment beyond his date of retirement for 18 months would be on contract basis," a DRDO press note said

It just a word play .

It is very clear that He retired on November 2014 when he was given extension on contract basis .

Planning commission was never a foolproof answer for India's economy or development! It was neither a constitutional body nor statutory body.
One of the main criticism was that it never gave space or flexibility to the concerns of state governments. Modi never said he is not going to replace it with another institution of such kind. His red fort speech did not criticize the commission, but mentioned that it was needed at the time when India was still young & it served it's purpose. Over the years priorities have changed, India took a different direction from a socialist kind of economy to capitalist one. So the changes were necessary to include diverse requirement of different states. So let's not just jump in & claim that what worked for us 50 years ago still works now.
Let's not be angrez ki zamane ki jailer & say hum kabi nahi sudrenge! Different times needs different requirements.

The long term planning of economy based on various inputs is very important function of Planning commission .
whether it was constitutional or statutory or not - is not the question .
I am ok if modi felt need to change the system - my concern is that the new system in place will do the requisite job or not .

Do you agree that long term planning of economy which is such an important function has not been assigned to Niti Ayog ? so who and how that will be done ? earlier Planning commission had enough manpower and inputs - now that function will have to be relegated to finance ministry . I just hope that the transition will be smooth and finanace ministry will take over the job .

anyway - it was my mistake I should not have quoted planning commission example . because now it is diverting the discussion from main topic .

He was a leader not an ordinarily employee.A leader should have innovative and creative ideas.AFAIK the only thing he did was the successful continuation of by products of IGMDP.
An innovative enterprise of APJ Abdul Kalam during 80's.Since then India didnt seriously worked any innovative products and experiments.
If you want innovation you should see ISRO.The guys in there is in a process of developing low cost AVATAR for commercial purpose.
We need innovation on various ways.Avinash Chander served this nation very well.But a leader should be a good manager also.
Except those missile developments we didnt see anything completely successful from DRDO.Where was he when some morons in DRDO wasted taxpayers money by developing a asilver Rath?

But he should have figured out the message of Modi in August.I expected something like this when he cancelled extension of 4 scientists

PS:This will send shiver inthe spines of DRDO.Something is really determined by Govt.

" AFAIK the only thing he did was the successful continuation of by products of IGMDP" . That is just an understatement .

Mr Avinash Chander is an architect of Agni programme . Much water has flown since APJ Abdul kalam 's time ..and many new technologies had to be invented , deisgned , realized to get to Agni V which is so crucial for the country . Journey from APJ Kalam's Agni 1 to todays Agni V has not been as simple as you make out to be .

The statement that he just continued the byproducts of IGMDP is really insulting to the works of Mr Chander's team . No I do not agree with you on that . He also played crucial role in SLBM like K15, K4 , K5 which is again so critical for our secon strike capability . These are very momentous milestones . and nation will always be grateful to scientists like Mr Chander for that .

all I am saying that if Modi was not happy with him - he should not have been given extension in November in first place . To give balcket 18 month extension and to revoke same within 2 months is not the way to treat senior scientist like Mr Chander .

If only modi had shown same guts to sack his ministers like Sadhvi show used abusive words like Hramma zade in parliament and liar minister like Smriti Irani who says she got degree from Yale, I would have agreed that modi means business .

He seems to have different standards on integrity and performance for his cabinet colleagues .

remember Man is known by company he keeps .

I think it is very unfortunate indeed that rare talent like Mr Avinash Chander etc are lost . He could have been retained in some other capacity and somebody else could have been made DRDO chief ...

 

[magudi]

 

[SrNair]

No I am not referring to Ajay Shukla's statement .

This is reported by many news papers .

DRDO chief gets extension, on contract - The Times of India

"The President is pleased to retire Avinash Chander, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development, in the Ministry of Defence from Government Service with effect from November 30, on attaining the age of superannuation. His appointment beyond his date of retirement for 18 months would be on contract basis," a DRDO press note said

It just a word play .

It is very clear that He retired on November 2014 when he was given extension on contract basis . and this was done by Modi government itself .

I do not understand why it is so difficult to swallow for you .

Irrespective of what you feel - he was given extension in November for 18 months by Modi government - This is the fact. and I do not want to repeat it anymore .



The long term planning of economy based on various inputs is very important function of Planning commission .
whether it was constitutional or statutory or not - is not the question .
I am ok if modi felt need to change the system - my concern is that the new system in place will do the requisite job or not .

Do you agree that long term planning of economy which is such an important function has not been assigned to Niti Ayog ? so who and how that will be done ? earlier Planning commission had enough manpower and inputs - now that function will have to be relegated to finance ministry . I just hope that the transition will be smooth and finanace ministry will take over the job .

anyway - it was my mistake I should not have quoted planning commission example . because now it is diverting the discussion from main topic .




" AFAIK the only thing he did was the successful continuation of by products of IGMDP" . That is just an understatement .

Mr Avinash Chander is an architect of Agni programme . Much water has flown since APJ Abdul kalam 's time ..and many new technologies had to be invented , deisgned , realized to get to Agni V which is so crucial for the country . Journey from APJ Kalam's Agni 1 to todays Agni V has not been as simple as you make out to be .

The statement that he just continued the byproducts of IGMDP is really insulting to the works of Mr Chander's team . No I do not agree with you on that . He also played crucial role in SLBM like K15, K4 , K5 which is again so critical for our secon strike capability . These are very momentous milestones . and nation will always be grateful to scientists like Mr Chander for that .

all I am saying that if Modi was not happy with him - he should not have been given extension in November in first place . To give balcket 18 month extension and to revoke same within 2 months is not the way to treat senior scientist like Mr Chander .

If only modi had shown same guts to sack his ministers like Sadhvi show used abusive words like Hramma zade in parliament and liar minister like Smriti Irani who says she got degree from Yale, I would have agreed that modi means business .

He seems to have different standards on integrity and performance for his cabinet colleagues .

remember Man is known by company he keeps .

I think it is very unfortunate indeed that rare talent like Mr Avinash Chander etc are lost . He could have been retained in some other capacity and somebody else could have been made DRDO chief ...

There is a hell of difference between politics and National Security and strategic projects.
DRDO have around 60 laborataries and still we are importing 70% of weapons.And this wouldnt be a one man decision.They have their own reason and we dont know that.
As an Administrator he was a failure.A complete failure.
Except those moronic medias Indians give two hoot about Niranjan Jyothi.
But weapons R&D is an another level business.And comparing it with politics is absolutely ridiculous.

Entire Indians knows this was an embarrasment.
And who told you that these people would be better in technical advvancement in these 64 years age.?
What if they dont ?

Indhira didnt had an education even for clerical post.But I would say she was a best PM in
Exc

 

[Nilesh Singh]

This is just a matter of semantics . It is pretty clear that in November when he was finishing his term - they gave him 18 months extension which they revoked now .



Tell me what has Govt done to infuse new talent in our research institutes ? which is the main premise of all this ?

are they recruiting more young people ? are they giving more fellowships ? are they opening more Universities ? are they creating more PhD courses ?

in absence of such fundamental measures - when he have not taken care of bottom layer just getting rid of top layer does not make sense .

at least they should be involved in the teaching and mentoring new scientists ....

My concern is that off course the projects will keep going ..but talent that has been cultivated over period of decades is merely lost in oblivion ....



You are feeling sorry for what you are accusing me of - at least that's one good thing !

I am complaining for sake of complaining ? how ? Do prove your accusation .

please read all my posts and try to understand what I have said and why ? instead of blindly attacking ....

Did I say that people should not be accountable ?
did I say that there should be no space for new talent ?

Please go back and read all my post sand them come to quarrel with me .

I am being polite while countering your point, i am that type of person.
Now on the topic, i have read all your post and there is nothing concentrate or substantive which you are pointing to. First of all we can all agree that removing (sacking) Mr. Chander such publicly was not good by govt. but it was right thing to do we can debate on the path taken by govt.
Now on Planning commission i will again urge you to read my previous post i have clearly say why Planning commission is complete failure in today's world. Rich states do not wait for funds from Central to do what work they want, they have industry where they get tax to do all type of work, this is not still socialist country where private industry was heavily regulated, today we are Capitalist country weather we like it or not. This is where NITI AYOG come handy as state has full say for country future economic plan and all related matter, which was missing in Planning commission.
You say you have doubt about Modi govt. weather he will do what they are preaching, i can clearly understand the reservation but with work till now by new govt. it gives more than hope, that they will be doing what they say they will do. Its not even 1 year and this govt. has made serious effort to get GST rolled out by 2016, So many bills have been passed (ordinance route), Indian economy is already above 5% and by 2016 it will be 6.5% by world bank estimate. Inflation already down to a manageable level, fiscal deficit will be in control because of low oil price, Industry are hiring more, there is positive vibe when you talked to local people, barring few incident of fringe group (gar wapsi, some BJP MP lunatic using bad language,etc) job is well done by this govt. We have to wait for budget to see what further reform govt. will do.my 2 cent.

 

[Indo-guy]

There is a hell of difference between politics and National Security and strategic projects.
DRDO have around 60 laborataries and still we are importing 70% of weapons.And this wouldnt be a one man decision.They have their own reason and we dont know that.
As an Administrator he was a failure.A complete failure.
Except those moronic medias Indians give two hoot about Niranjan Jyothi.
But weapons R&D is an another level business.And comparing it with politics is absolutely ridiculous.

Entire Indians knows this was an embarrasment.
And who told you that these people would be better in technical advvancement in these 64 years age.?
What if they dont ?

Indhira didnt had an education even for clerical post.But I would say she was a best PM in
Exc

I am not comparing politics with R & D .
I am just showing the obvious difference in attitude .

If ovt did not have confidence in Mr Chander - they should not have given him extension in first place . so what heaven has fallen in last 2 months that the extension was revoked ?
DPT had no courtesy to even inform him before posting the order on website .

is that how you treat a scientist adored with one of the highest civilian awards for their achievements ?

so Mr Avinash Chander was good enough to head DRDO 2 months back when govt gave him en block 18 months extension and suddenly in 2 months he became unworthy ???

I am being polite while countering your point, i am that type of person.
Now on the topic, i have read all your post and there is nothing concentrate or substantive which you are pointing to. First of all we can all agree that removing (sacking) Mr. Chander such publicly was not good by govt. but it was right thing to do we can debate on the path taken by govt.
Now on Planning commission i will again urge you to read my previous post i have clearly say why Planning commission is complete failure in today's world. Rich states do not wait for funds from Central to do what work they want, they have industry where they get tax to do all type of work, this is not still socialist country where private industry was heavily regulated, today we are Capitalist country weather we like it or not. This is where NITI AYOG come handy as state has full say for country future economic plan and all related matter, which was missing in Planning commission.
You say you have doubt about Modi govt. weather he will do what they are preaching, i can clearly understand the reservation but with work till now by new govt. it gives more than hope, that they will be doing what they say they will do. Its not even 1 year and this govt. has made serious effort to get GST rolled out by 2016, So many bills have been passed (ordinance route), Indian economy is already above 5% and by 2016 it will be 6.5% by world bank estimate. Inflation already down to a manageable level, fiscal deficit will be in control because of low oil price, Industry are hiring more, there is positive vibe when you talked to local people, barring few incident of fringe group (gar wapsi, some BJP MP lunatic using bad language,etc) job is well done by this govt. We have to wait for budget to see what further reform govt. will do.my 2 cent.

I have written enough about Planning commission in reply to another member .
Please create another thread if you wish to discuss. It was my mistake I should not have quoted the example . I do not want to create diversion by discussing same here ...I have my own reservations with regards to Niti Ayog . You can see my posts in reply to @janjawed .

as far as removal of Mr avinash cahnder is concerned - It reflects very poorly on Govt itself . Just 2 months back Govt found him worthy of en block 18 month extension and all of a sudden he becomes persona non grata .

He is not even informed of the decision and he comes to know through media reports .

this is how India should treat Architect of Agni systems on which it bestowed its one of the highest civilian awards ???

 

[Screambowl]

Mr avinash chander had been heading some very crucial projects - agni V, Agni VI, K5 SLBM to name a few ...

this news is quite surprising and shocking ...



Just because the DRDO chief is sacked ...does that mean Govt means business ?
Unless you see appropriate follow up action from Govt ..such conclusions are too early .

Let us see why this happened ...
there must be serious compelling reasons to do so ...



Exactly ! If that alone was the case then he would not have been given the extension in first place ....

there must be something else to do so ...



quite confirmed news .

from where did you get this list?

 

[JanjaWeed]

The long term planning of economy based on various inputs is very important function of Planning commission .
whether it was constitutional or statutory or not - is not the question .
I am ok if modi felt need to change the system - my concern is that the new system in place will do the requisite job or not [
Do you agree that long term planning of economy which is such an important function has not been assigned to Niti Ayog ? so who and how that will be done ? earlier Planning commission had enough manpower and inputs - now that function will have to be relegated to finance ministry . I just hope that the transition will be smooth and finanace ministry will take over the job .

how do you know that it's not going to do the job even before giving it a go? We have tried the existing system.. & we are aware of the shortfalls... & we need to overcome that by restructuring the present system by incorporating positive things from existing system & adding new ones to fill the gaps. What's harm in that?

anyway - it was my mistake I should not have quoted planning commission example . because now it is diverting the discussion from main topic .

It's just your specific remark in the original post claiming changes to existing system amounts to destruction of institutions.. & you gave planning commission as the example to support your claim. Hence this debate!

 

[jha]

Something is not coming out in open. Sacking DRDO chief like this must have some solid reasons behind it.

If this was done to send a message to DRDO, OFB and other DPSUs, then its Job well done. People working there should know that a lot is depending on them. However this may have been done in a little more courteous manner. Rest assured, there will be no impact of Mr. Chander's retirement on the running programs as Chief himself was an administrator for quite some time.

 

[Dash]

I don't understand why are we debating the reason behind sacking DRDO chief. He had done his job now its time to move on. There were confirmed reports that Modi himself was not in favor of him and the extension probably was given to get time to find an appropriate replacement. That's all!

 

[Dr Gupta]

Set the example at the top? so the whole pyramid will be sweating

need more young blood and fresh ideas

 

[trident2010]

May be he was leaking too much information from his big mouth.

 

[Water Car Engineer]

Both of them did talk too much, but you cant deny their resume. Especially what they did and built for a third world countries industry. Hope the new guy brings DRDO to another level all together. Many labs are already progressing okay, but would love to see more progress!