Govt Includes Reforms In DRDO In Its 100-day Agenda

Seeking to give top priority to expanding the defence technology base of the country, DRDO reforms have been included in the 100-day agenda of the government after the elections.

The government had set up a committee with retired military officers and industry experts under a top scientist to suggest reforms in the structure of the research agency to make it more output-oriented and to promote a defence industrial and technological base in the country.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation headed by Dr Samir V Kamat has made presentations to the government at senior levels and further progress would be made only after the new government formation.

"The reforms of the DRDO would continue and have now been made a part of the 100-day agenda of the government. Presentations have been made at senior levels and DRDO has been told to work on it," top defence officials told ANI.

The DRDO has also formed an internal committee to progress the reforms in areas where there is an agreement between the reforms committee and the DRDO, they said.

Areas or points where there is a disagreement between the two sides will be taken up for discussion at a later stage, they said.

The DRDO is also working towards implementing reforms and focus on core military technology area.

Laboratories focusing on non-core areas like the Defence Institute for High Altitude Research (DIHAR) and similar labs would be offered to the local state governments to continue their work and help in local development.

The DRDO reforms committee had suggested to set up a defence technology commission which would look after major technology development projects.

The committee had also suggested creation of two Secretary posts in the DRDO with different roles which are now being performed by a single official at the moment.

The committee had also suggested a time-bound implementation of the recommendations.

To involve the defence forces in the functioning of the DRDO to meet their requirements, the committee he suggested a big role for Chief of Defence Staff in the executive committee of the proposed technology commission. (ANI)