Full transcript
0:00Now, we begin this morning with the breaking news.
0:04Massive internal uproar within ISRO has erupted over transfer of technology,
0:08launch vehicles and opening up of launch facilities to private players
0:12in an unprecedented move, nine employees' body of Indian Space
0:16Research Organisation representing thousands of staff write to ISRO chief.
0:21Now, CNN News 18 has accessed the letter written by ISRO employee unions in an unprecedented
0:26The nine employee associations representing thousands of ISRO and Department
0:31of Space staff have written to the ISRO chief, seeking written clarification on the policy.
0:36The unions have questioned how publicly developed technology test facilities,
0:41launch complexes and expertise built with taxpayer money are being transferred
0:45or open for private operation.
0:47And I've sought clarity on the roles of NSIL and InSpace.
0:51The association's stressed that they support private participation
0:55in commercial activities but oppose any move that could reduce
0:58ISRO to a residual R &D organisation.
1:01They've also questioned the InSpace chairman Pawan Kumar Goenka's remarks
1:05that ISRO will eventually stop manufacturing launch vehicles.
1:10Now I have my colleague Harish joining us live this morning,
1:13Harish what are the major concerns that the employee unions have highlighted
1:17in this letter three major concerns are 60 one obviously is this statement made
1:23by in space chief mr. power and cohenka saying he made the statement
1:28to last month that is still going forward at some point in would reach a stage
1:32where they wouldn't be manufacturing launch vehicles.
1:35So that is something that's triggered a huge uproar.
1:38They've sorted direct clarification, a written clarification,
1:41in fact, from Mr. Chief on the statement saying that
1:44if this is a policy that has been decided upon, if it's final,
1:48then they should be shared and discussed with the people in Isro,
1:52the employees of Isro.
1:53Second is all these nine unions of various centers of Isro saying
1:58that they are okay, they're fine with private participation
2:02in Indian space sector.
2:03But they are saying that the technology transfer that's happening,
2:06launch vehicles that are getting transferred, launch pads that are being opened up
2:11for private sector.
2:12These are the innovated funded by public money
2:15and is so scientists have spent years over it and there should be better discussion
2:20on how this is happening and they've sought answers about that as Well,
2:24at the same time they're saying that some of these technologies
2:27are crucial and it's funded by public money.
2:30The research itself is funded by public money and there should be
2:34better transparency and discussion with EMPLOYEES OF ISRO BEFORE ISRO GOES AHEAD
2:40AND TRANSFERS ANY MORE TECHNOLOGY OR ANY MORE ASSETS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
2:44NOT JUST THAT, THEY'VE ALSO SPOKEN ABOUT HOW IT
2:47HITS THE MORAL OF THE So Israel employees, their families as well,
2:51and they've sought clarification.
2:53They've sort of written clarification from Israel chief, Mr. Narayanan,
2:57and they've raised several issues.
2:59This is unprecedented for multiple reasons, because Israel employees could be anywhere
3:05around more than 5 ,000 out of them are a disciplined lot.
3:09We very rarely see them coming out and talking in the open even
3:12when Israel achieves a significant and milestone.
3:16But now to go ahead and write a letter seeking clarification on many
3:22of these issues and the privatization of Indian space sector hasn't happened now.
3:27It's been in the work for the last eight to nine years.
3:30And now, for the first time, employees have raised concerns
3:35and they believe that the way it's going, they fear that it shouldn't,
3:40Israel shouldn't be reduced to some sort of a residual R &D unit.
3:44And it affects their working, they're saying how it's working now,
3:48where it's essentially an end-to-end program of a launch that should be there,
3:53there can't be any change made.
3:55Right Harish, quite an unprecedented move
3:58considering how the ISRO employees have never really gone out