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- ISRO Privatisation Controversy | Employees Seek Clarification; Congress Slams Modi
Nine ISRO employee organisations have written to the space agency’s chairman, V. Narayanan, seeking clarification on privatisation. The letter was written on September 4, and the information came to light today.
The employee organisations said that private companies may participate in government institutions, but ISRO should remain a strong organisation. It should not be reduced to a limited research and development (R&D) institution.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X that voices have now started emerging from within the space agency. He said that when the legacy of Sarabhai and Dhawan is being systematically dismantled, others should not remain silent.
Controversy within ISRO, understand in 3 points…
Why questions were raised: On August 21, IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka said at an event that eventually ISRO would not build any launch vehicle or manufacture any launch vehicle. This would be done by the private sector or PSUs. IN-SPACe is responsible for promoting, authorising and monitoring private-sector space activities.
What ISRO employees are demanding: The employee organisations said that ISRO’s technology, testing facilities and launch infrastructure have been developed with public money. Therefore, the process of handing them over to private companies should be transparent and accountable.
Opposition’s allegation: Jairam Ramesh wrote on X that the Modi government is reducing ISRO’s role in the name of promoting start-ups. He said that technology and capabilities developed by ISRO are being handed over to private companies, and no one knows what their future will be.
Now know about ISRO: It was established 57 years ago
ISRO was established on August 15, 1969. Its full name is the Indian Space Research Organisation. ISRO is headquartered in Bengaluru.
Dr Vikram Sarabhai played the most important role in establishing ISRO. He is known as the father of India’s space programme. Before this, INCOSPAR was established in 1962, and it was also led by Vikram Sarabhai.
