Insufficient manpower in DRDO for research: Parl Panel

New Delhi : Manpower in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is "grossly insufficient" for carrying out committed research and development projects, pointed the standing committee report on Demands for Grants for DRDO.

Further, the report also flagged that in the last five years, a total 131 scientists have left DRDO on personal grounds.

The report states that since 2001, DRDO has been managing with same authorization in spite of more than six-fold increase in budget outlay.

Presently, authorised strength of scientists in DRDO is 7,353 while existing strength is 7,068. The percentage of scientists in DRDO is 30 percent of total strength of DRDO.

The Committee noted that "the current manpower is grossly insufficient for committed research and development projects".

In 2010, Manpower Planning Board (MPB) had recommended for increasing manpower by 4966.

Ministry of Finance recommended 1316 posts. However, the case is pending with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).