Nine employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have written to the space agency’s Chairperson, V. Narayanan, seeking official clarification on the proposed transfer of its manufacturing and operational functions to private entities.
“Private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO. The employee associations claimed that these remarks have not been accompanied by any corresponding official communication from the Department of Space, explaining the approved policy, its legal and administrative basis, its phasing, or its consequences for the existing workforce and future public recruitment. Also, it asked about the implications of the proposed shift for sanctioned strength, existing vacancies, recruitment calendar, and induction of scientific/technical/administrative/industrial manpower in all ISRO centres.
It pointed to the August 21 comments made by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), which promotes, enables, authorises and supervises various space activities of non-governmental entities.
What cannot be accepted without debate is a policy that reduces ISRO to a residual R&D [research and development] boutique while the realisation of the nation’s launch vehicles and the operation of its launch infrastructure pass out of public hands,” the letter said.
