The defence organisation, which has an annual budget of over Rs.10,000 crore, now has no choice but to reinvent itself. The agency's research has drifted away from its core competence in recent times. It has been accused of "wasting time and precious resources'' being engaged in research and development of technique for detection of pesticides in fruits, technology for dengue control, dental implants, foldable stretchers and berry juice.
The moribund agency is also suffering from employee attrition. Over the past five years, while the report of the Rama Rao Committee has languished, around 1,700 of its 7,900 engineers and scientists have left for better opportunities in private companies. The depletion of talent will be the last stage in what cynical insiders say is the process of converting DRDO into a dodo.
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Long delays, cost escalation damage DRDO's reputation : Special Report - India Today