ISRO employees seek meeting with Chairperson to discuss queries on privatisation

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairperson Dr. V. Narayanan had addressed some of the issues during a video conference. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Joint Action Council (JAC), representing nine Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) employees’ associations, have sought a meeting with the Chairperson of the space agency, Dr. V. Narayanan, to discuss key issues , like emerging threats of privatisation and transfer of technology, among others.

In a letter dated October 7, the nine associations requested an early structured personal interaction or meeting to discuss the future role of ISRO, emerging threats of privatisation, transfer of technology, and operational functions of launch vehicles and facilities.

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They have sought a clarification on other pressing employee issues, including inordinate stagnation after Cadre Review, recruitment and attrition, concentration of functional positions, vigilance clearance relating to Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS), and restoration of Joint Consultative Mechanisms (Joint Consultative Machinery).

This is the second letter by the JAC following the first one on September 4. Following the first letter, Dr. Narayanan addressed ISRO employees in a video conference.

The JAC acknowledged the responses received from the Chairperson during a video-conference interaction with employees, but stated that fundamental doubts and concerns raised by employees were not clarified.

“The core questions regarding the future mandated role of ISRO, the policy on privatisation and transfer of manufacturing and operational functions, technology transfer, staffing and recruitment, and employee safeguards remain substantially unanswered,” JAC stated in the letter.

The JAC once again highlighted Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairperson Pawan Kumar Goenka’s statement that ISRO will eventually cease making or manufacturing launch vehicles.

“These statements have not been accompanied by any corresponding 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.