New Delhi, September 6: Nine employee associations at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have written to space agency Chairperson V Narayanan, seeking official clarification on the proposed transfer of its manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. In a letter dated September 4, the associations also raised questions about ISRO’s future role and the implications for serving employees and future recruitment, PTI reported.
“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 (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.
The associations referred to comments made by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), on August 21. IN-SPACe promotes, enables, authorises and supervises various space activities of non-governmental entities.
Goenka reportedly said at a public event, “Eventually, ISRO will not make any launch vehicles and will not manufacture any launch vehicles. That will all be done by the private sector or PSU.”
The employee associations said these remarks had not been accompanied by any corresponding official communication from the Department of Space outlining the approved policy, its legal and administrative basis, its phasing or its implications for the existing workforce and future public recruitment.
“Technology developed by ISRO is a national asset. Its transfer must be transparent, accountable and consistent with strategic, safety and employment considerations — not presented to employees through newspaper reports,” the letter said.
The associations also raised concerns over whether the design, development, realisation, integration, testing and launch of PSLV, LVM3, SSLV and successor vehicles would continue as ISRO functions or cease to be so. They also sought clarity on the implications of the proposed shift for sanctioned strength, existing vacancies, the recruitment calendar and the induction of scientific, technical, administrative and industrial manpower across all ISRO centres.
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