Committee to review DRDO functioning

Following the recommendations of the Kelkar Committee, a nine-member independent committee of experts had been constituted by the government in February 2007, under the former secretary of the Dept of Science and Technology and present vice chancellor of the Hyderabad Central University Dr P Rama Rao to look into the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The Committee is presently interacting with senior officials of the Ministry of Defence, DRDO and the Services, and is likely to submit its report by next February, defence minister AK Antony said in a written reply to Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi in the Lok Sabha on Monday 10 September.

The committee was to look into long delays in the DRDO''s projects to develop strategic systems, battle tanks, electronic warfare and communication systems, armour and armaments, life support systems, naval systems, missile systems etc.

Antony said the government has taken steps for more timely completion of projects, including timely reviews and monitoring for financial and technical progress through multi-tier review mechanisms.

It also called for adopting technology evaluation and assessment prior to up fresh projects, promoting synergy and better coordination among the Services, DRDO and production agencies through cluster meetings, and by adopting ''concurrent engineering'' and ''joint venture'' approaches for development and production.

On its part, the DRDO has devised and implemented better project management methods. Private sector participation under the "make" category as per Defence Procurement Procedure - 2006 has been implemented.

The Armed Forces are now apprised of the progress of DRDO projects. They also participate in design and development, Antony said in an earlier written reply to Francis Fanthome and Pusp Jain in the Lok Sabha.