In a first, ISRO staff seeks 'written clarity' on pvt sector shift

Bengaluru: For the first time since the government began opening India’s space sector to private industry six years ago, nine employee bodies at ISRO centres representing thousands of staff under the Department of Space (DoS), have formally raised concerns over the direction and basis of the transition. ]

They have sought written clarification from chairman, space commission, who also serves as secretary, DoS and chairman, ISRO. “Private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO. What cannot be accepted without debate is a policy that reduces ISRO to a residual R&D boutique while the realisation of the nation’s launch vehicles and the operation of its launch infrastructure pass out of public hands,” the representation dated Sept 4 reads.

Terming technology developed by ISRO a national asset, they said its transfer must be transparent, accountable, and consistent with strategic, safety and employment considerations. “...Serving employees have an earned right to be informed, consulted and protected. Natural justice and good administration require that policy of this magnitude be explained to the workforce by the Department itself.”

The joint representation has been signed by the ISRO Staff Association, SHAR Employees Association, Isac Employees Association, ISRO Staff Association-LPSC, Isro Staff Association-BBU, NRSA Employees Union, Space Employees Association-BBU, ISRO Staff Association-IPRC and SAC Employees Welfare Association.

Pointing to a recent public statement reportedly made by IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka on ISRO eventually “not manufacturing any launch vehicles”, they asked if his statement “represents an approved decision of the Govt of India, Space Commission or DoS… If approved, the date, authority and text of the policy decision may kindly be indicated.” “What will be the future mandated role of ISRO — specifically, whether design, development, realisation, integration, testing and launch of PSLV, LVM-3, SSLV and successor vehicles will continue as ISRO functions or will cease. Whether any decision has been taken to exclude PSUs from the proposed transfer of PSLV/LVM-3 production, and the justification for such exclusion,” they asked.

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