DRDO chief sacked to bring in younger generation: Manohar Parrikar

New Delhi: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said there was no controversy in the sacking of Avinash Chander as DRDO chief and it was he who recommended that the position should be held by someone from a "slightly younger generation" and not by someone on contract. 

"At these senior positions, they should not be on contract. There are so many eligible, (someone) should be brought among them," he said.

The Minister maintained that there was no controversy in this decision.

"I had recommended that this position should not be held by a person on contract. We should introduce in scientific world, slightly younger generation," he told reporters outside the North Block. 

Read: DRDO chief and architect of Agni missiles Avinash Chander sacked

Parrikar further stated that at present, the vacant post will be filled by someone on a temporary basis till a permanent candidate is found.

"As of now the person to replace him has not been decided. We will fill the post temporarily by someone who has the urge for development," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan said that Chander's dismissal was the government's decision.

Earlier in the day, Chander had refused to comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's decision to abruptly dismiss him from the post of DRDO chief, 15 months before Chander's contract was to end.

According to an official notification, the ACC approved the termination of the contract of Avinash Chander with effect from January 31.

Chander was Secretary, Defence Research and Development-cum- DRDO Director General, and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister.

He had retired on November 30 last year after he turned 64, but was given a contract for 18 months till May 31 next year.