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Action against scientists |
The punitive action on January 13 against
four scientists of the Indian Space Research
Organisation (Isro) in connection with the
Antrix-Devas deal leaves many questions
unanswered. It does however make it apparent
that there have been lacunae in the
functioning of one of India’s premier
scientific institutions, its commercial arm,
and the overseeing body. The order from the
Department of Space (DoS runs directly under
the PMO) states that former Isro head
Madhavan Nair, former Isro Scientific
Secretary A Bhaskarnarayana, former Antrix
Managing Director K R Sridharamurthi and
former Isro Satellite Centre Director K N
Shankara “shall be excluded from
re-employment, committee roles or any other
important roles under the government”.
The facts that led to this decision, insofar
as they are known, are as follows. In 2005 —
when Madhavan Nair was head of Isro and
secretary, DoS — the commercial arm of Isro,
Antrix Corporation, signed a deal with Devas
Multimedia offering the latter 90 per cent
of the transponders on two satellites,
G-Sat6 and G-Sat6A, which were to be
launched specifically for Devas’
utilisation. The transponders operate in the
S-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, one
of the few untenanted bands capable of
delivering mobile multimedia broadband
services. Bangalore-based Devas’ partners
include former senior Isro personnel. It
acquired investors like Deutsche Telekom,
Columbia Capital, Telcom Ventures, etc.
There was no competitive tendering. It is
claimed that Antrix got clearances for the
satellite launch from the Space Commission
and the Cabinet without explicitly informing
them about the Devas deal. In February 2011,
the agreement was annulled. Two committees,
one led by former CVC Pratyush Sinha, and
the other by B K Chaturvedi, investigated
it. Devas paid Rs 1,000 crore (about $220
million in 2005) for the 12-year agreement.
The committees reportedly concluded that
this was an underpricing of at least $400
million, given the commercial value. The CAG
estimated in February 2011 that the
potential revenue loss could have exceeded
$4 billion.
Clearly, there must be accountability for
these decisions. Yet this notification
raises as many questions as it answers. For
example, neither committee’s report has been
released apparently due to security
concerns. Madhavan, who spearheaded 25-odd
Isro missions, including Chandrayaan,
alleges scapegoating by the current Isro
head, K Radhakrishnan. It is possible that
no criminal charges will be brought to bear
for similar reasons. In effect, this denies
the four scientists the right to clear their
names in open court. Furthermore, all those
penalised are from within Isro, although
investments by foreign investors into Devas
should have required clearances from outside
Isro, too. Most unfortunately, the scandal
has demoralised one of the few islands of
relative excellence in the public
establishment — and thus the wider Indian
scientific community. Isro, and Antrix, were
allowed a certain degree of autonomy;
operating without the checks and balances
trammelling other government organisations
was intended to help it perform with more
speed and agility. One also understands the
need for confidentiality. But surely it is
carrying secrecy too far if the DoS doesn’t
know what Isro is doing? |
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