ISRO Staff Bodies Sound Alarm Over Privatisation Plans, Seek Transparency and Accountability

ISRO Staff Bodies Sound Alarm Over Privatisation Plans

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) staff bodies have sounded the alarm over the proposed transfer of manufacturing and operational functions to private entities. Nine employee associations have written to ISRO Chairperson V Narayanan, citing concerns over the agency's future role and the consequences for serving employees and future recruitment.

The associations are pushing back against comments made by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), that ISRO will eventually stop manufacturing launch vehicles, leaving it to the private sector or public sector undertakings (PSUs). Goenka made these remarks on August 21, but the staff are seeking 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.

The staff are concerned that the transfer of ISRO's manufacturing and operational functions to private entities could reduce the agency to a residual research and development (R&D) boutique. They argue that private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO, but the policy should not compromise the nation's launch vehicles and launch infrastructure.

The associations have raised several questions about the future of ISRO's launch vehicles, including the PSLV, LVM3, SSLV, and their successors. They want to know whether ISRO will continue to design, develop, realise, integrate, test, and launch these vehicles, or if these functions will be transferred to private entities.

The staff are also concerned 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. They believe that the transfer of ISRO's manufacturing and operational functions to private entities could lead to a loss of jobs and a decline in the agency's capabilities.

The associations are seeking transparency and accountability in the transfer of ISRO technology, a national asset. They believe that the technology developed by ISRO is a national asset and its transfer must be transparent, accountable, and consistent with strategic, safety, and employment considerations.

The staff are calling for a debate on the proposed policy, which they believe has not been accompanied by any corresponding official communication from the Department of Space. They want to ensure that the policy does not compromise the nation's launch vehicles and launch infrastructure.

ISRO's Launch Vehicles: A National Asset

ISRO's launch vehicles, including the PSLV, LVM3, SSLV, and their successors, are a national asset. They have been developed and manufactured by ISRO, and their transfer to private entities could compromise the nation's capabilities in space exploration and development.

The staff are concerned that the transfer of ISRO's manufacturing and operational functions to private entities could lead to a loss of control over the launch vehicles and their technology. They believe that the technology developed by ISRO is a national asset and its transfer must be transparent, accountable, and consistent with strategic, safety, and employment considerations.

The Future of ISRO: A Residual R&D Boutique?

The staff are concerned that the transfer of ISRO's manufacturing and operational functions to private entities could reduce the agency to a residual R&D boutique. They believe that private participation in defined commercial activities can coexist with a strong, publicly owned ISRO, but the policy should not compromise the nation's launch vehicles and launch infrastructure.

The associations are seeking clarification on the proposed policy, its legal and administrative basis, its phasing, or its consequences for the existing workforce and future public recruitment. They want to ensure that the policy does not compromise the nation's launch vehicles and launch infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• ISRO staff bodies have sounded the alarm over the proposed transfer of manufacturing and operational functions to private entities.
• The associations are pushing back against comments made by Pawan Goenka, chairperson of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), that ISRO will eventually stop manufacturing launch vehicles.
• The staff are concerned that the transfer of ISRO's manufacturing and operational functions to private entities could reduce the agency to a residual research and development (R&D) boutique.
• The associations have raised several questions about the future of ISRO's launch vehicles, including the PSLV, LVM3, SSLV, and their successors.
• The staff are seeking transparency and accountability in the transfer of ISRO technology, a national asset.