File photo: Former DRDO chief Avinash Chander

The government on Tuesday removed the chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation Avinash Chander, 15 months before his contract was to end.The Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi "approved the termination" of the contract of Avinash Chander with effect from January 31, an official notification said.Interestingly, Mr Chander who was Secretary, Defence Research and Development cum Director General, DRDO and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, had retired on November 30 last year after he turned 64. He was given a contract for 18 months till May 31 next year.Efforts to contact Mr Chander did not fructify as he did not answer the calls made on his phone.Mr Chander joined the DRDO in 1972 after completing his graduation in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

He is considered to be the chief architect of Agni series of ballistic missile systems.Development of the Agni range of missiles under a highly-restrictive international control regime was possible only due to his technology forecast, perspective planning and relentless efforts, DRDO officials said.