Why the Modi govt wants to lighten the DRDO chief’s workload
The government is considering relieving the DRDO chairman of additional responsibilities as secretary (R&D) in the defence ministry to boost the premier defence research agency’s efficiency
After opening the doors of India’s premier defence research agency DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) to private players, wherein they will operate government assets thus sparing them the need to invest in land, machinery or other support infrastructure, the Union government is now considering bifurcation of the post of DRDO chairman and secretary-research and development in the ministry of defence (MoD).
The DRDO operates with 8,000 scientists and about 50 laboratories and has an annual budget of about Rs 20,000 crore. Traditionally, the DRDO chief has held the post of secretary-R&D in addition to the post of scientific advisor to the defence minister. The Prime minister’s Office (PMO) is spearheading the change, which is aimed at achieving better efficiency and ease of functioning of the DRDO. However, some believe it’s an attempt by the ‘IAS lobby’ to take control of the premier defence research agency and maintain its supremacy in MoD.
“Bifurcating the post of DRDO chairman and secretary-R&D appears to be the need of the hour as the DRDO’s track record of meeting project deadlines has not been up to the mark. With lesser responsibility, the DRDO chairman will be able to devote more time and energy on defence programmes,” said a senior MoD official, adding that the success of any defence project depends on finance, utilisation of manpower and efficient movement of file within the bureaucracy.
In August this year, the Union government appointed scientist Samir V. Kamath as the new DRDO chief. Kamath took over from G. Satheesh Reddy, who was given the responsibility of scientific advisor to the defence minister. The Modi government had bifurcated the two posts in 2015.
The broad impression is that defence scientists are experts in taking technical decisions but not well-versed with financial and other administrative matters, and that this often leads to project delays. Also, DRDO labs have to depend on cadre from the Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Services for financial and administrative tasks.
Another senior MoD official said a bureaucrat holding the post of secretary-R&D can manage administrative and financial tasks better than a scientist. He proposed that DRDO be managed on the lines of other scientific institutions such as ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre).
It is perceived that the reason for a large number of scientists approaching the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) and high courts to challenge their service rules or appointments is their limited understanding of administrative matters. Moreover, by bifurcating the DRDO chief’s post, the government wants to have a holistic approach towards the private sector when it comes to R&D. In the current Union budget, the government has earmarked 25 per cent of R&D funds of MoD for the private industry, start-ups and academia.
The Narendra Modi government has taken several measures to boost indigenous defence manufacturing, through initiatives such as Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, and boost defence exports. MoD has set an ambitious defence exports target of Rs 35,000 crore by 2025.
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