Modi Govt has "aggressive privatisation agenda" for ISRO: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh

Congress Leader Accuses Centre of Privatisation Push

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday accused the Modi government of pursuing an 'aggressive privatisation agenda' in India's space programme, citing recent news reports about ISRO's future role in manufacturing launch vehicles.

In a post on X, Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in-charge communications, alleged that ISRO's decades of capability-building are being handed over to private players. He said the reports raised "legitimate concerns" about the organisation's capacities, capabilities, and competencies built up over six decades, crediting the vision and leadership of Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, Brahm Prakash, UR Rao, APJ Abdul Kalam, and other distinguished scientists.

Allegations on ISRO's Future

Ramesh claimed the motivation for the privatisation push "is clearly coming from the PM (Narendra Modi) and his PMO itself." He alleged that ISRO's presence in rocket development and manufacture is to be severely limited, with much of its satellite-related assets to be transferred "lock, stock, and barrel" to private companies.

He also claimed the second spaceport being developed in Tamil Nadu, with an investment of around Rs 1,000 crore, would be handed over to a private company. "Given the winds of change, the future of the historic Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh is itself anybody's guess," he said.

Ramesh acknowledged that space startups deserve encouragement and support but questioned why ISRO's role should be limited while promoting private players. He noted that ISRO had made the country "enormously proud" and that Prime Minister Modi had himself highlighted its achievements on several occasions.

Concerns Over Scientist Exodus

Ramesh claimed that 100-120 key ISRO professionals have quit in the past few months, expressing concern over the impact on the organisation's capabilities. He referred to a former ISRO chairman, apparently G Madhavan Nair, who joined the BJP in October 2018 and had expressed serious concerns over the privatisation push. Ramesh urged the five other living eminent ISRO chairmen to speak out on the issue, and shared a video of his September 2023 Rajya Sabha speech on India's space journey.

Background

ISRO was founded in 1969, with Vikram Sarabhai playing a key role in its establishment and serving as its first chairman. The organisation has been central to India's space achievements, including the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions. Ramesh's comments come amid growing government emphasis on involving private players in the space sector, including through startups and public-private partnerships.