Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday appointed a high-power committee, headed by member, Planning Commission, B.K. Chaturvedi to review the various aspects, including procedural and commercial, in the controversial S-band spectrum deal by the commercial wing of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro)-Antrix
and Devas, a private firm floated by former Isro officials. The issue also came up during the Cabinet meeting chaired by the PM, where several ministers sought to know details of the agreement. Dr Singh called in Isro chairman and secretary, department of space, K. Radhakrishnan to brief the Cabinet on the agreement, which the Space Commission in July 2010 had recommended to be annulled. Dr Radhakrishnan also circulated a two-page note in the meeting on the issue.
However, the appointment of Mr Chaturvedi came under severe criticism from the main Opposition BJP, who asked how he could head the committee as he himself was the Cabinet secretary when the Antrix-Devas deal was signed in 2005. The committee will also review the approval processes followed by Antrix, Isro and Department of Space and suggest improvements and changes and submit a report within a month.
The BJP also demanded immediate cancellation of the deal as it involved “rare” S-band spectrum which is also used by intelligence agencies and the Coast Guard. The party asked that though the deal was to build two custom-made satellites, whether giving 70 Mhz of S-band spectrum was also part of the deal.
“How can you sign such an agreement with a private firm when it involves a rare band which is also used by country’s intelligence agencies,” said BJP national spokesperson, Nirmala Sitharaman.
The party said despite CAG’s interim report on the issue was out highlighting this “massive scandal” and Space Commission also objecting to the deal, the government “went on delaying decision that were critical”.