The beleaguered chief of Brahmos Corporation, Dr A Shivthanu Pillai, has finally received an extension, presumably for two years, thanks to the Defence Minister A K Antony who has overruled opposition from the DRDO director general on the extension.

The extension of Dr Pillai —considered as the architect of the successful Brahmos missile — was a contentious issue as his boss and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Dr M Natarajan was against the extension. However, the minister’s order for continuing with Dr Pillai was conveyed to Dr Natarajan by then defence secretary Sekhar Dutt on Monday, sources said.

The final order from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet is awaited, though it is likely that he will continue to head the Brahmos Corporation and serve as one of the chief controllers (R&D) in DRDO. Dr Pillai has attended office on Wednesday and reviewed a strategic programme in Pune, said an official.

Though getting an extension is generally not an issue with distinguished defence scientists like Dr Pillai, it was not the case this time. The official procedure starts from a recommendation by the DRDO chief to the defence minister suggesting an extension for a particular scientist. Subsequently, the minister gives the approval. However, this time Dr Natarajan did not recommend Dr Pillai’s name for the usual two year extension.

When the recommendation did not reach the defence minister’s office within the stipulated time, Mr Antony sent a note to Dr Natarajan asking him why Dr Pillai’s name has not been recommended for the extension even after having excellent track records.