New Delhi : Isro Chairman Dr V. Narayanan has said the Indian space agency is not being privatised and assured employees. Narayanan responded to concerns raised by sections of Isro’s workforce, including employee associations that have sought an official clarification on government policy regarding the future role of the organisation.
“Whenever a PSLV or a GSLV is lifting off, don’t think that everything is done by Isro. Almost 80% of the budget is invested by Indian industries. Around 450 industries are working for us,” he said. Employee associations from key Isro centres have reportedly sought clarity on what the policy changes could mean for Isro’s role, its workforce, recruitment and its ability to retain core capabilities. Narayanan said India was aiming to significantly increase its launch capacity, with the country’s requirement estimated at around 50 launch vehicles a year.
“The country’s requirement is around 50 launch vehicles per year,” Narayanan said. He categorically rejected suggestions that Isro itself was being privatised. “Isro is not privatised,” he said. On the request for a written clarification, Narayanan said it would not be appropriate to issue an official written response simply because one or two individuals or groups had submitted a letter. His remarks are the latest effort by Isro’s leadership to reassure its workforce that the growing role of private companies is intended to expand India’s overall space ecosystem rather than diminish the country’s national space agency.
“The reforms since 2020 are about expanding India’s overall space ecosystem. The idea is to let industry increasingly manufacture and scale mature launch vehicles, satellites and other systems,” he added. ISRO will focus on advanced research and development, scientific missions, strategic missions, new technologies, and infrastructure that is too complex for the private sector to develop on its own, he said.
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