DRDO facing exodus of scientists': Antony

New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier defence research organization, is facing attrition problems, as 785 defence scientists have resigned in the last three years.

The Lok Sabha was informed today that the government has offered various incentives to scientists in the Sixth Central Pay Commission (CPC) report.

"A number of incentives were recommended by the CPC, which have been accepted and implemented by the government," Defence Minister A K Antony said in a written reply to a question on the exodus of DRDO scientists.

Incentives to arrest the attrition rate in DRDO include providing career enhancement opportunities to scientists by granting them study leaves, sending them to attend conferences and seminars and long term training courses.

"DRDO is providing study leaves to scientists for acquiring higher qualifications like PhDs, Masters Degrees. Scientists are sponsored to go and attend conferences and seminars and for long term courses for research both within and outside the country," Antony said.

The Defence Minister added that a lot of stress was being laid upon by DRDO to mentor young scientists along with improving their work environment and social life in DRDO campuses.

ANI