Nearly 700 scientists quit DRDO in six years: Govt

Nearly 700 scientists have resigned from India's premier military research body Defence Research and Development Organisation in little less than six years from 2007, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Wednesday.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on resignation of scientists from the DRDO, Antony said a total of 637 scientists resigned during 2007-2011 and 50 scientists up to October 31 this year.

Scientists who had resigned have either cited personal or domestic reasoms for leaving DRDO, Antony said.However, it is assumed that increased opportunities or incentives available in other organisations and industries is the main reason of such resignation, he added.

On incentives taken as corrective measures to restrict resignation of scientists from DRDO, Antony said excellent infrastructure facilities have been created at work places and residential complexes and two additional increments have been given on promotion to each grade.

To another question, Antony said that the DRDO is a subordinate organisation under defence ministry and does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work.

Asked whether the DRDO enjoys a huge amount of autonomy because of its strategic nature of work, he said, "The DRDO is a subordinate organisation under the department of Defence( R&D) in the defence ministry and is governed by central government rules and regulations.

"Therefore, DRDO as an organisation does not enjoy any special powers or autonomy because of its strategic nature of work."

A revised delegation of financial powers of director general of the DRDO was carried out in 2010 to address a long standing requirement and was done after due process and deliberation, he said.

"The process of exercise of these powers has been further rationalised and a corrigendum has been issued by department of defence (R&D) on November 21, 2012 as a partial modification to the earlier financial powers," the minister added.