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Dogfight In ISRO
The blacklisting of eminent scientists exposes the intense and murky turf war inside India’s premier space agency. Jeemon Jacob reports
Past glory: PSLV-C14 being launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Photos: AFP
THINGS HAVE changed at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) since 13 January,” says a veteran scientist who wishes to remain anonymous. That was the day G Madhavan Nair and three other senior scientists were tainted with the brush of suspicion for their roles in the Antrix-Devas deal. “All this media hype has had an adverse impact on us. We are not used to such things. Now I don’t know whom to believe and whom to curse,” says the senior scientist, due to retire within a year.
From outside, Antariksh Bhavan, the ISROheadquarters in Bengaluru, gives the impression of business as usual. Of course, security is tight and CCTV cameras monitor every movement on the campus. In the corridors, there are whispers about the ongoing witch-hunt and fault-finding missions.
A section of senior scientists who had close links with Nair fear they are already on the radar and could be persecuted for their proximity to the former ISRO chairman. “InISRO, whoever is at the top can do lots of damage to your career. Our system works on the basic principle that the boss is always right,” comments another scientist. “There is not much scope for rebellion or whistleblowing,” he adds.
At the top of the chain is K Radhakrishnan, who took over as chairman on 31 October 2009 after Nair was told that there was no possibility of a fourth extension of his term. Radhakrishnan was at the time heading Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, as director.
“His appointment was almost certain four months before he became chairman ofISRO. He was elevated to the post of Secretary to Department of Space before taking charge of ISRO. But we thought Nair had endorsed his elevation and that the two had good relations. Now people close to Radhakrishnan say this is not the story and that Nair tried to block his elevation to the prime post,” says a top Bengaluru scientist. But the present chairman has the right connections in New Delhi, it is said.
“When the decision of the Centre to ban four scientists (for their role in the Antrix-Devas deal) was intimated to ISRO headquarters, the administration department sent a messenger to Nair’s house to deliver the order, as directed by the present chairman. The messenger also told Nair that he should not visit ISRO headquarters after receiving the order. It was a show of power and authority,” says the insider.
Scientists who had close links with Nair fear they could be persecuted for their proximity to him
But the humiliation — as they perceive it — of renowned scientists is not the only repercussion expected. Devas has filed a case in the International Chamber of Commerce against the annulment of the agreement. “The government has cited national security as the prime reason for annulling the deal,” Nair told TEHELKA. “But it would be hard to prove this. The ISRO website reveals that the share pattern of the promoters has changed and they profited from sale of shares. So, if I’m accused of violating the norms and procedures while signing the deal, the same mistake was committed when the government scrapped the deal. Who will be accountable for the huge compensation we may have to pay in future?”
Q&A G Madhavan Nair Former Chairman, ISRO
‘Hang me if you want. But give me a fair trial’
UNTIL SIX months ago, Dr Gopalan Madhavan Nair, 68, was a celebrity scientist, known as the Moon Man of India. He was awarded a Padma Vibhushan in 2009, the year he demitted office after spending 42 years in the organisation. Among the 55 successful missions at ISRO, 25 were during his tenure. He tells Jeemon Jacob that he has been hung out to dry in the Antrix-Devas deal.
G Madhavan Nair
Bhaskaranarayana, Former Scientific Secretary
EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW
How do you feel after the Union government blacklisted you along with fellow scientists in the Antrix-Devas deal? I feel humiliated, cheated; depressed and slightly demotivated. I lived my whole life with dignity, concentrating on my missions. I was only worried about failing as a scientist. I never had time to enjoy life, to mingle with the outside world. But now I find I was treated like a second class citizen. All kinds of stories are floating, painting me a villain who ditched the country.
The majority of Devas board members and executives were former colleagues. Were you ever influenced by them to circumvent rules? Your question hurts me. Why should I favour them — for money? Look at my house. It’s an ordinary house without luxuries. Coming back to your question: Devas chairman MG Chandrashekharan was one year junior to me. We had worked together in 1981 when he was working on the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Series. He left ISRO in 1997 and joined WorldSpace. Like that, I know most of the people who work in my area of interest. Like artists know fellow artists, we knew each other. I wanted to put India ahead of other nations in satellite communications. Now I’m paying a very high price for dreaming like a fool.
Did anybody put pressure on you to clear the project in favour of Devas? There was no pressure and no arm-twisting. Like many other proposals that came for our consideration, I objectively analysed it and found a great opportunity for India. In 2004, there was no 2G scam or spectrum auction.
Are you going to fight to restore your reputation? At 67, I don’t have many more miles to go before I sleep. But the way in which I was dumped hurts me. I don’t deserve such treatment.
Source:- Dogfight In ISRO | Tehelka.com
The Truth Is Out There
Devas had leased S-band spectrum from ISRO satellites, Photo: AFP
THREE COMMITTEES, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report and four scientists barred from any government assignment — this is the status of the probe into the $300 million Antrix-Devas deal one year after it was annulled citing “strategic reasons”.
The agreement signed in 2005 was spiked by the government last February, despite the defence ministry, intelligence agencies and the PMO giving the necessary clearances for leasing out S-band spectrum. Rumour has it that the CAG report, which is yet to be made public, has pegged the presumptive loss at Rs 2 lakh crore.
In 2000, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) decided to open the space sector for private investment. It made a policy to boost satellite-based communication technology viable for commercial consumption. ISRO’s marketing arm Antrix signed an MoU in 2003 with US-based Forge Advisors to attract investment in digital multimedia services. Later, Forge Advisors established Devas Multimedia and hired many former ISRO officials. According to the deal, Antrix would provide 70 MHZ S-band spectrum for 12 years. This was done by leasing 90 percent of the transponders in GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A, which were to be launched by ISRO.
Even though Devas had paid an advance fee of Rs 60 crore to Antrix, the government annulled the deal after allegations that it was heavily skewed in Devas’ favour.
Last year, the government appointed three committees to look into the ‘shady’ deal. The BR Suresh panel is said to have given a clean chit to the scientists. The Chaturvedi-Narasimha panel does not speak of financial loss but says there were procedural deviations. The third report by a high-powered panel headed by former Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha is still shrouded in secrecy. It is based on this report that the government has taken action against the four scientists.
However, the government’s action has drawn flak. “The scientists have been treated badly. This will hurt the national space programme,” says Space Commission member Roddam Narasimha, who was part of the Chaturvedi-Narasimha panel. He feels the responsibility lies with the prime minister to clear the air. “The reports should be made public,” he says.
Whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was privy to the conditions of the deal is something that has been contested by many. The PMO’s stand is that the PM was not in the know. Even Madhavan Nair, former ISRO chief and one of the scientists punished by the government, asserts that the agreement does not come under the ambit of the government since it’s an internal matter of Antrix. Even ISRO has maintained that the PMO or the Cabinet was not aware of the deal till 2010.
Aborted project: Devas CEO Ramachandran Vishwanathan, Photo: Shaillendra Pandey
However, Devas CEO Ramchandaran Vishwanathan had said earlier that German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle discussed the deal when he met the PM in October 2010. He also spoke about US State Department officials raising the issue with the PMO. In an earlier interview with TEHELKA, Vishwanathan said that there were others players in the race to get S-band spectrum. “We understand that two other large industrial corporations had already explored options of such services with ISRO/Antrix,” he had said.
This raises a pertinent question on the ‘first-come first-served’ policy that may have given scope for a massive scam.
Former Antrix MD KR Sridhara Murthy, who is one of the barred scientists, refutes the argument. “In 2000, the SATCOM policy was brought about to increase commercial usage of multimedia technology,” he says.
CNR Rao, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the PM, is aghast at the situation. “The government should not treat scientists like this. These are the minds that build the nation. There won’t be any scientists left if this is how we treat our technical intelligentsia,” he says. However, he ducks questions on the culpability of the scientists. “The government set up committee after committee. It shouldn’t jump to conclusions and bar the scientists from taking up official duties,” he adds.
Meanwhile, Nair says this is a witchhunt. “We don’t have a clear picture about the Sinha report but we are aware that the report has stated seven persons are under scrutiny — four scientists and three bureaucrats. But action has been taken only against the technical people,” he says.
‘I have asked for information through RTI. Once I get it, I will chalk out my plans,’ says Madhavan Nair
A mere glance at the scientists’ track record shows their illustrious career in building India’s space sector. It was under Nair’s leadership that India launched the Chandrayan project, the nation’s first unmanned mission to the moon. Bhaskar Narayana was the Scientific Secretary in the Department of Space for four years. He was responsible for building India’s communication satellite constellation. KN Shankara is a top specialist in the communication sector. Former Antrix MD Murthy is credited with catapulting ISRO from a company worth Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
The scientists are unsure if they should take legal action against the government. “I want to know the rationale behind the government’s action. I have asked for information through RTI. Once I get it, I will chalk out my plans,” says Nair.
Aborted project: former ISRO chief Madhavan Nair Photo: Shailendra Pandey
As for the government and ISRO, everyone has maintained a tight lip. Repeated efforts to get a response from ISRO were in vain. However, V Narayanasamy, Minister of State, PMO, told TEHELKA that the government is willing to listen to the scientists’ grievances. “Action against them has been taken after the findings of the high-powered committee,” he says.
A Devas official adds, “We have no comment. The matter is sub judice since it is being taken up by the Supreme Court.”
TEHELKA HAS learnt that many former ISRO officials were working with Devas when the deal was struck. When TEHELKA asked Nair whether this could be called a conflict of interest, he replied, “The government took a policy decision in 2000 to encourage ISRO employees to start companies. It was decided that technical help will be provided by ISRO. If the employees started a company to boost satellite-based multimediacommunication service, there’s nothing wrong in that.”
In a letter dated 6 July 2010, the Department of Telecom had opposed ISRO’s plans of leasing out S-band spectrum. The then telecom secretary PJ Thomas had argued that S-band spectrum was crucial for strategic purposes and could not be used for commercial purposes. This appears to be in contravention of the SATCOM policy, says a former ISRO scientist. “When the deal was signed, there was a need for private players to come in. The policy was adopted to encourage private investment. It was a conscious decision,” he says.
While Devas and Antrix battle it out in court, a similar fight between scientists and the government is looming large. However, the actual proportion of the scam, if there is one, will be clear only when the CAG report as well as the other reports are made public. But then, the number of committees and the possible contradictions in them leave many questions unanswered. The primary one is: Why has the government not considered legal action if there indeed was a suspected financial loss?
Source:- The Truth is Out There | Tehelka.com
What ails ISRO? An insider's report
The murky controversy raging over damning debar on former Indian Space Research Organisation Chief and secretary of Department of Space G Madhavan Nair and three other scientists is blamed on its current chief Dr K Radhakrishnan for misleading the government in the Antrix-Devas deal probe for a sadistic revenge.
Many scientists have come out in protest at damning of the finest space scientists in this manner, while Dr R G Nadadur, a 1980 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Karnataka cadre who got a voluntary retirement early last month, has brought out how Nair became a victim of the "massive witch-hunt" mounted by his successor Radhakrishnan who took over from him in 2009.
He says he was totally devastated and demoralised by the guns turned on him in September and October "when I was painted as one of the chief architects of the so-called scam."
His only crime was that he had tried to persuade the ISRO chief, who is also secretary of DOS to desist from "a massive witch-hunt to 'fix' all those who did not support him in his earlier years in ISRO."
While Nadadur, who served the organisation for over nine years, exited quietly without making any public issue with Radhakrishnan, two emails he sent out to his batch-mates and friends on January 6 and 7 show the rotten state of affairs.
"I planned to exit gracefully rather than taking the secretary head-on in a clash, which would have brought greater odium to DOS/ISRO and demoralised everyone concerned," he explains.
He states in the emails, shared by a batch-mate with this correspondent, that perhaps he is the only IAS officer "who has seen/known/worked with all the persons, who have headed DOS/ISRO," and hence the request not to make the mistake of concluding from the unhappy incident he has put behind that DOS/ISRO is full of such persons.
He points out that "I really love the organisation, and I still do."
"It remains one of India's greatest organisations and has great scientists, technologists and others, who are working very hard on several programmes and projects. What is needed is the right kind of leadership. If that is done, these women and men are capable of making us even more proud, in the years to come, with their achievements. In such a case, we can be prepared to see our countryfolk on the Moon and Mars, our own space shuttle and several other technological breakthroughs, all in our own lifetime," he affirms.
He, however, wonders if many would have the atmosphere necessary to remain immersed in research if Radhakrishnan's 'mischiefs'' are not nailed and he is thrown out. He recalls how he was tried to be implicated in the so-called Antrix-Devas "scam" that left him with a very deep scar of hurt "as I had slogged day-and-night for the organisation, and handled almost every matter in DOS/ISRO, technical and non-technical.
Nadadur, or simply Raghu as he is known in the IAS circles, accuses Radhakrishnan misusing his position on the inquiry committee set up by the prime minister to probe the S-band spectrum deal "to present certain decisions that were taken by his predecessor as a 'scam' and further engage in a massive witch-hunt to 'fix' all those who did not support him in his years in ISRO.
"He (Radhakrishnan) left ISRO at some stage but was rehabilitated by his predecessor and placed in a position to succeed him. Now, this ungrateful person is trying to 'fix' his predecessor.
"Since I had worked with the previous Secretary as his JS and CVO for 5 years, I kept pointing out to the present secretary that there was no mala fide in the actions of his predecessor and that he was just a go-getter and flamboyant. I feel, in retrospect, that the present secretary may not have liked my advice."
Raghu writes, "The inquiry provided the present secretary with a golden opportunity of 'fixing' his predecessor and several others, including me. I was supposed to have been derelict in discharging my duty, of not exercising due diligence and also of misleading the Union Cabinet."
He heaves a sigh of relief that he got out of this with name and reputation intact after a lot of explaining and with the help from some seniors, colleagues and well-wishers in important offices in Delhi.
The blacklisting of eminent scientists exposes the intense and murky turf war inside India’s premier space agency. Jeemon Jacob reports
Past glory: PSLV-C14 being launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Photos: AFP
THINGS HAVE changed at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) since 13 January,” says a veteran scientist who wishes to remain anonymous. That was the day G Madhavan Nair and three other senior scientists were tainted with the brush of suspicion for their roles in the Antrix-Devas deal. “All this media hype has had an adverse impact on us. We are not used to such things. Now I don’t know whom to believe and whom to curse,” says the senior scientist, due to retire within a year.
From outside, Antariksh Bhavan, the ISROheadquarters in Bengaluru, gives the impression of business as usual. Of course, security is tight and CCTV cameras monitor every movement on the campus. In the corridors, there are whispers about the ongoing witch-hunt and fault-finding missions.
A section of senior scientists who had close links with Nair fear they are already on the radar and could be persecuted for their proximity to the former ISRO chairman. “InISRO, whoever is at the top can do lots of damage to your career. Our system works on the basic principle that the boss is always right,” comments another scientist. “There is not much scope for rebellion or whistleblowing,” he adds.
At the top of the chain is K Radhakrishnan, who took over as chairman on 31 October 2009 after Nair was told that there was no possibility of a fourth extension of his term. Radhakrishnan was at the time heading Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, as director.
“His appointment was almost certain four months before he became chairman ofISRO. He was elevated to the post of Secretary to Department of Space before taking charge of ISRO. But we thought Nair had endorsed his elevation and that the two had good relations. Now people close to Radhakrishnan say this is not the story and that Nair tried to block his elevation to the prime post,” says a top Bengaluru scientist. But the present chairman has the right connections in New Delhi, it is said.
“When the decision of the Centre to ban four scientists (for their role in the Antrix-Devas deal) was intimated to ISRO headquarters, the administration department sent a messenger to Nair’s house to deliver the order, as directed by the present chairman. The messenger also told Nair that he should not visit ISRO headquarters after receiving the order. It was a show of power and authority,” says the insider.
Scientists who had close links with Nair fear they could be persecuted for their proximity to him
But the humiliation — as they perceive it — of renowned scientists is not the only repercussion expected. Devas has filed a case in the International Chamber of Commerce against the annulment of the agreement. “The government has cited national security as the prime reason for annulling the deal,” Nair told TEHELKA. “But it would be hard to prove this. The ISRO website reveals that the share pattern of the promoters has changed and they profited from sale of shares. So, if I’m accused of violating the norms and procedures while signing the deal, the same mistake was committed when the government scrapped the deal. Who will be accountable for the huge compensation we may have to pay in future?”
Q&A G Madhavan Nair Former Chairman, ISRO
‘Hang me if you want. But give me a fair trial’
UNTIL SIX months ago, Dr Gopalan Madhavan Nair, 68, was a celebrity scientist, known as the Moon Man of India. He was awarded a Padma Vibhushan in 2009, the year he demitted office after spending 42 years in the organisation. Among the 55 successful missions at ISRO, 25 were during his tenure. He tells Jeemon Jacob that he has been hung out to dry in the Antrix-Devas deal.
G Madhavan Nair
EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW
The Antrix-Devas deal has tarnished the image of scientists and reputation of ISRO. How do you look at it? The Devas agreement was signed to bring advanced technology on satellite-based mobile communication for the needs of the country. Progress on the project was satisfactory and we would have got commercial returns at par with any other industry in the country if the project had been completed in time. More than that, the country had the advantage of a new technology platform in a sector that is growing day by day. The Government of India can scrap any contract. But while doing so, a procedure should be followed. You can fix Madhavan Nair if he committed a crime; you can crucify him if he is a threat to national security or if he sold this country. But give him a chargesheet and a fair trial.
What were the circumstances that led to the deal? In 2000, ISRO and the Department of Space were authorised to bring private players into the satellite communication field. This policy enabled ISRO to initiate discussions with private players and provide them space capacity on first-come-first-served basis. This is clearly written in the policy document. At that time, Doordarshan and the Department of Telecom (DoT) were the only users. We started designing a high-power satellite that can beam directly to handsets. You need a matching technology at the ground level. Developing this technology would take lots of time and a cost of Rs 500-Rs 600 crore. In that context, only a firm from the US called Forge Advisors came forward. During the visit of former ISROchairman Dr Kasturirangan to the US in 2003, they had detailed discussions on the topic. They signed an MOU. They came up later with a detailed proposal for a joint venture with Antrix.
Normally, such proposals are not accepted. We knew that if the foreign company becomes our partner, dealings will not be that easy and smooth. So we had Dr Shankara heading the technical committee, which had several reputed scientists who had evaluated similar proposals. They had almost 18 sittings. You must understand that at that time there was no other proposal or demand for tie-up. Forge Advisors set up Devas, an Indian arm with technocrats who were ex-ISRO scientists. That is how it came about.
There are allegations against you and fellow scientists that you sold S-band spectrum for a throwaway price. You can blame me for selling cheap to Devas only if I had another offer for a better price. In this case, there was no such bidder or proposal.
Did you discuss the implications of the deal with DOS or with Space Commission members or brief the PM before signing the deal? When the Devas deal was signed, I’d informed the Space Commission members orally. It was not a unilateral decision I’d taken as ISRO chairman but with a group of people who are experts. This is not the first time we have taken such decisions.
Was national security compromised in any way? You can blame me for anything but not on this account. Devas had to get all clearances for operating the system on the ground. The control was with us and not with them.
While the BK Chaturvedi Committee was soft on the deal, the Pratyush Sinha panel and CAG blasted the deal. The BN Suresh Committee report keeps a distance from the deal. Why such differences? The BK Chaturvedi Committee has already taken the view that there were violations of norms and procedural lapses but no mala fide intentions or criminal motives. The Chaturvedi Committee gave us an opportunity to explain our part. It was a democratic exercise. But the Pratyush Sinha panel exaggerated the statements and put the blame on a few of us for acts of commission and omission. If you scrutinise all three committee reports, you can understand the plot behind the final verdict. In our case, first they built a case, then fixed responsibility and finally awarded death sentence without a fair trial.
Do you think that some vested interests played a key role in trapping you in the Devas-Antrix deal? ‘Trapping’ is a light expression to use for the whole affair. I was butchered and hanged. Now I realise it was pre-planned and scripted. They have won for now.
So do you have plans to fight for honour? I’ve written to Prime Minister and explained to him all the circumstances that led to the deal. I hope that he would take an appropriate decision after verifying all facts.
THE ONLY one among the four bureaucrats under a cloud who granted TEHELKA an interview was SS Meenakshisundaram, former Member (Finance) Space Commission & Atomic Energy Commission. This 1968 batch IAS officer was known for high integrity and vision when he was in the government, serving three prime ministers as joint secretary. After retirement, he has been a visiting professor at two institutes and is associated with a self-help group.
The Pratyush Sinha Committee has recommended action against him and three other IAS officials for their respective roles in the deal. “I retired from government service on 31 October 2004 and the entire episode started only in December with the registration of Devas,” he points out. He attended his last board meeting at Antrix on 24 December 2004, essentially to hand over his resignation. Papers relating to the agreement were introduced in the board meeting after he left. “Fixing me for procedural violation in respect of an event that took place after my retirement is, to say the least, unfair,” he says.
‘Who will be held to account for the huge price India may pay for annulling the Devas deal?’ asks Nair
The star wars between Nair and Radhakrishnan started soon after the latter took over as ISRO chairman. “After assuming the post, Radhakrishnan never wanted to be in the shadow of the former boss. In his new shoes, he became a changed man. From being friendly and unassuming, he started going systematically for the kill. Nair’s colleagues, who took him lightly earlier, had to face Radhakrishnan’s ire,” says an insider at the space agency.
According to him, the war started when one of the scientists who enjoyed great power was transferred just one month after Radhakrishnan took over. “Her transfer was a shock to all of us. She was a privileged scientist. But that transfer lasted only 24 hours and the chairman had to cancel it after his predecessor intervened. To our surprise, after another month, she was shunted out,” says a scientist. “It was a clear signal to others who thought he didn’t carry his past bruises,” he adds.
Then the murky Antrix-Devas deal hit the headlines. Radhakrishnan, knowing that whitewashing the actions of his predecessor and fellow scientists would not be easy, is said to have tuned his antenna to signals from New Delhi. He sensed that his predecessor was no longer in favour as several allegations against Nair were circulating in the corridors of power.
“Then, G Balachandran, a West Bengal cadre officer now listed for action under pension rules, was Additional Secretary and Member of Finance to Department of Space. He was close to Nair, but was the first to pick holes in the Devas deal as he was aware about procedural violations. The chairman used this opportunity effectively to nail Nair,” says another scientist.
However, there is another theory — that the present incumbent, to distance himself from the deal, appointed VS Hegde, former Scientific Secretary, as CMD of Antrix on 9 July 2011.
Meanwhile, the BK Chaturvedi panel submitted its report on the Antrix-Devas deal. Based on the report, the government appointed the Pratyush Sinha panel and the CAG also started its parallel scrutiny of the deal. Radhakrishnan scrutinised all files and correspondences concerning the deal and presented the facts without comment before different panels. “It was not an act of vengeance or setting a trap,” says a senior scientist working with VSSC. “His sole intention was self-defence. Reading the mood of the panels, the chairman wanted to clear his name. He knows the halo around Nair, and also knows he cannot match Nair technically or as a team leader.”
To be fair to Radhakrishnan, he has to project himself as a clean scientist, capable of leading ISRO with transparency and accountability. The Devas probe presented him with a golden opportunity.
The top scientists working at ISRO’s Bengaluru headquarters attribute another professional reason for the tug-of-war between the two successive chairmen.
After the present chairman took over, ISRO suffered two failures in 2010. One was on 15 April, when the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission failed at the cryogenic stage less than a minute after lift-off from Sriharikota space port. The other was on Christmas day, when GSLV Fo6 exploded just after launch. “Radhakrishnan was pinning lots of hopes on the mission,” reveals a top scientist.
With other missions facing delays, the ISRO chairman’s composure slowly disappeared. Failures are nothing new, and as a scientist he had seen the most ambitious missions failing. “But the timing of the failures was crucial for him,” says an observer.
The chairman’s insecurity led him to suspect conspiracies against him. “He developed a set of cronies to extract information from different wings,” adds another scientist. During this period, the noose was tightening around the former chairman. “Nair was not aware about it or he underestimated the changing environment in ISRO. He was slowly losing his clout in Delhi,” says the insider.
This is evident from later developments. After his exit from ISRO, Nair was appointed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2010 to head a 16-member high-power committee to develop the Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA-70).
It was an ambitious project to build turboprops or jets with a capacity of 70-100 passengers. Since 2007, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and National Aerospace Laboratories were planning a joint venture to design and develop regional aircraft. NAL had several rounds of discussions with Canada-based Pratt & Whitney and US-based General Electric for an engine.
The NAL-designed RTA-70 is meant to ply short-haul routes and compete with planes of French-Italian aircraft maker Avions de Transport Regional (ATR), a leading exporter of turboprop aircraft to the Indian subcontinent.
In 2008, the Ministries of Defence and Civil Aviation had approved the plan and directed HAL to prepare a roadmap for the project. India’s entry in the RTA sector was received with great global attention. Major names in the aircraft industry sector like Embraer, Bombardier, Aerospace and United Aircraft Corporation held discussions with NAL and HAL. Since China had already developed an RTA, India wanted the project to be implemented on the fast-track mode.
Nair took it as a great opportunity and a challenge. The estimated cost of the total project was Rs 7,555 crore of which Rs 4,355 crore was earmarked for design and development and the remaining Rs 3,200 crore for the production phase. The Nair Committee submitted its report in June 2011, recommending government funding for the development phase and joint partnership with private partners for the production phase. But the Planning Commission shot down the proposal and wanted joint ventures for both phases. Moreover, CSIR dissolved the Nair Committee after submitting a feasibility report and appointed two more committees — one headed by Vijay Kelkar, former Finance Secretary, to identify industry partners for the joint venture and a technical committee headed by former NAL chief Roddam Narasimha.
The story did not end there. Nair was provided an office and staff in NAL when he was appointed as committee chairman. But after dissolving the committee, NAL told him not to use his office.
The Antrix-Devas deal has tarnished the image of scientists and reputation of ISRO. How do you look at it? The Devas agreement was signed to bring advanced technology on satellite-based mobile communication for the needs of the country. Progress on the project was satisfactory and we would have got commercial returns at par with any other industry in the country if the project had been completed in time. More than that, the country had the advantage of a new technology platform in a sector that is growing day by day. The Government of India can scrap any contract. But while doing so, a procedure should be followed. You can fix Madhavan Nair if he committed a crime; you can crucify him if he is a threat to national security or if he sold this country. But give him a chargesheet and a fair trial.
What were the circumstances that led to the deal? In 2000, ISRO and the Department of Space were authorised to bring private players into the satellite communication field. This policy enabled ISRO to initiate discussions with private players and provide them space capacity on first-come-first-served basis. This is clearly written in the policy document. At that time, Doordarshan and the Department of Telecom (DoT) were the only users. We started designing a high-power satellite that can beam directly to handsets. You need a matching technology at the ground level. Developing this technology would take lots of time and a cost of Rs 500-Rs 600 crore. In that context, only a firm from the US called Forge Advisors came forward. During the visit of former ISROchairman Dr Kasturirangan to the US in 2003, they had detailed discussions on the topic. They signed an MOU. They came up later with a detailed proposal for a joint venture with Antrix.
Normally, such proposals are not accepted. We knew that if the foreign company becomes our partner, dealings will not be that easy and smooth. So we had Dr Shankara heading the technical committee, which had several reputed scientists who had evaluated similar proposals. They had almost 18 sittings. You must understand that at that time there was no other proposal or demand for tie-up. Forge Advisors set up Devas, an Indian arm with technocrats who were ex-ISRO scientists. That is how it came about.
There are allegations against you and fellow scientists that you sold S-band spectrum for a throwaway price. You can blame me for selling cheap to Devas only if I had another offer for a better price. In this case, there was no such bidder or proposal.
Did you discuss the implications of the deal with DOS or with Space Commission members or brief the PM before signing the deal? When the Devas deal was signed, I’d informed the Space Commission members orally. It was not a unilateral decision I’d taken as ISRO chairman but with a group of people who are experts. This is not the first time we have taken such decisions.
Was national security compromised in any way? You can blame me for anything but not on this account. Devas had to get all clearances for operating the system on the ground. The control was with us and not with them.
While the BK Chaturvedi Committee was soft on the deal, the Pratyush Sinha panel and CAG blasted the deal. The BN Suresh Committee report keeps a distance from the deal. Why such differences? The BK Chaturvedi Committee has already taken the view that there were violations of norms and procedural lapses but no mala fide intentions or criminal motives. The Chaturvedi Committee gave us an opportunity to explain our part. It was a democratic exercise. But the Pratyush Sinha panel exaggerated the statements and put the blame on a few of us for acts of commission and omission. If you scrutinise all three committee reports, you can understand the plot behind the final verdict. In our case, first they built a case, then fixed responsibility and finally awarded death sentence without a fair trial.
Do you think that some vested interests played a key role in trapping you in the Devas-Antrix deal? ‘Trapping’ is a light expression to use for the whole affair. I was butchered and hanged. Now I realise it was pre-planned and scripted. They have won for now.
So do you have plans to fight for honour? I’ve written to Prime Minister and explained to him all the circumstances that led to the deal. I hope that he would take an appropriate decision after verifying all facts.
THE ONLY one among the four bureaucrats under a cloud who granted TEHELKA an interview was SS Meenakshisundaram, former Member (Finance) Space Commission & Atomic Energy Commission. This 1968 batch IAS officer was known for high integrity and vision when he was in the government, serving three prime ministers as joint secretary. After retirement, he has been a visiting professor at two institutes and is associated with a self-help group.
The Pratyush Sinha Committee has recommended action against him and three other IAS officials for their respective roles in the deal. “I retired from government service on 31 October 2004 and the entire episode started only in December with the registration of Devas,” he points out. He attended his last board meeting at Antrix on 24 December 2004, essentially to hand over his resignation. Papers relating to the agreement were introduced in the board meeting after he left. “Fixing me for procedural violation in respect of an event that took place after my retirement is, to say the least, unfair,” he says.
‘Who will be held to account for the huge price India may pay for annulling the Devas deal?’ asks Nair
The star wars between Nair and Radhakrishnan started soon after the latter took over as ISRO chairman. “After assuming the post, Radhakrishnan never wanted to be in the shadow of the former boss. In his new shoes, he became a changed man. From being friendly and unassuming, he started going systematically for the kill. Nair’s colleagues, who took him lightly earlier, had to face Radhakrishnan’s ire,” says an insider at the space agency.
According to him, the war started when one of the scientists who enjoyed great power was transferred just one month after Radhakrishnan took over. “Her transfer was a shock to all of us. She was a privileged scientist. But that transfer lasted only 24 hours and the chairman had to cancel it after his predecessor intervened. To our surprise, after another month, she was shunted out,” says a scientist. “It was a clear signal to others who thought he didn’t carry his past bruises,” he adds.
Then the murky Antrix-Devas deal hit the headlines. Radhakrishnan, knowing that whitewashing the actions of his predecessor and fellow scientists would not be easy, is said to have tuned his antenna to signals from New Delhi. He sensed that his predecessor was no longer in favour as several allegations against Nair were circulating in the corridors of power.
“Then, G Balachandran, a West Bengal cadre officer now listed for action under pension rules, was Additional Secretary and Member of Finance to Department of Space. He was close to Nair, but was the first to pick holes in the Devas deal as he was aware about procedural violations. The chairman used this opportunity effectively to nail Nair,” says another scientist.
However, there is another theory — that the present incumbent, to distance himself from the deal, appointed VS Hegde, former Scientific Secretary, as CMD of Antrix on 9 July 2011.
Meanwhile, the BK Chaturvedi panel submitted its report on the Antrix-Devas deal. Based on the report, the government appointed the Pratyush Sinha panel and the CAG also started its parallel scrutiny of the deal. Radhakrishnan scrutinised all files and correspondences concerning the deal and presented the facts without comment before different panels. “It was not an act of vengeance or setting a trap,” says a senior scientist working with VSSC. “His sole intention was self-defence. Reading the mood of the panels, the chairman wanted to clear his name. He knows the halo around Nair, and also knows he cannot match Nair technically or as a team leader.”
To be fair to Radhakrishnan, he has to project himself as a clean scientist, capable of leading ISRO with transparency and accountability. The Devas probe presented him with a golden opportunity.
The top scientists working at ISRO’s Bengaluru headquarters attribute another professional reason for the tug-of-war between the two successive chairmen.
After the present chairman took over, ISRO suffered two failures in 2010. One was on 15 April, when the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission failed at the cryogenic stage less than a minute after lift-off from Sriharikota space port. The other was on Christmas day, when GSLV Fo6 exploded just after launch. “Radhakrishnan was pinning lots of hopes on the mission,” reveals a top scientist.
With other missions facing delays, the ISRO chairman’s composure slowly disappeared. Failures are nothing new, and as a scientist he had seen the most ambitious missions failing. “But the timing of the failures was crucial for him,” says an observer.
The chairman’s insecurity led him to suspect conspiracies against him. “He developed a set of cronies to extract information from different wings,” adds another scientist. During this period, the noose was tightening around the former chairman. “Nair was not aware about it or he underestimated the changing environment in ISRO. He was slowly losing his clout in Delhi,” says the insider.
This is evident from later developments. After his exit from ISRO, Nair was appointed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2010 to head a 16-member high-power committee to develop the Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA-70).
It was an ambitious project to build turboprops or jets with a capacity of 70-100 passengers. Since 2007, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and National Aerospace Laboratories were planning a joint venture to design and develop regional aircraft. NAL had several rounds of discussions with Canada-based Pratt & Whitney and US-based General Electric for an engine.
The NAL-designed RTA-70 is meant to ply short-haul routes and compete with planes of French-Italian aircraft maker Avions de Transport Regional (ATR), a leading exporter of turboprop aircraft to the Indian subcontinent.
In 2008, the Ministries of Defence and Civil Aviation had approved the plan and directed HAL to prepare a roadmap for the project. India’s entry in the RTA sector was received with great global attention. Major names in the aircraft industry sector like Embraer, Bombardier, Aerospace and United Aircraft Corporation held discussions with NAL and HAL. Since China had already developed an RTA, India wanted the project to be implemented on the fast-track mode.
Nair took it as a great opportunity and a challenge. The estimated cost of the total project was Rs 7,555 crore of which Rs 4,355 crore was earmarked for design and development and the remaining Rs 3,200 crore for the production phase. The Nair Committee submitted its report in June 2011, recommending government funding for the development phase and joint partnership with private partners for the production phase. But the Planning Commission shot down the proposal and wanted joint ventures for both phases. Moreover, CSIR dissolved the Nair Committee after submitting a feasibility report and appointed two more committees — one headed by Vijay Kelkar, former Finance Secretary, to identify industry partners for the joint venture and a technical committee headed by former NAL chief Roddam Narasimha.
The story did not end there. Nair was provided an office and staff in NAL when he was appointed as committee chairman. But after dissolving the committee, NAL told him not to use his office.
The Planning Commission shot down Nair’s proposal for government funds for building aircraft
“Later, Nair found that Radhakrishnan played a key role in shelving the project. Radhakrishnan and CSIR Director General Samir K Brahmachari conspired together to scrap the committee. The news shocked him,” says an insider, throwing light on the aborting of the project.
When asked about the RTA committee report, Nair was evasive. “I submitted the feasibility report to CSIR last June. We did a good job by submitting a report within a year of the constitution of the committee. It’s for them to act,” replies Nair.
In ISRO, there is no dearth of stories about these star wars in the stratosphere. Every day, new and colourful conspiracy theories are circulated and discussed. Insiders agree that the working environment has changed dramatically after the Devas scandal. Many scientists feel demoralised in this tense phase of one of the most prestigious organisations in the country.
Q&A Bhaskaranarayana Former Scientific Secretary
‘I’m paying a high price for dreaming like a fool’
LEAN AND tall, Bhaskaranarayana is known among space scientists as a loner and dreamer. This expert on satellite communication spent 37 years inISRO in different capacities. He tells Jeemon Jacob that he will clear his name.
“Later, Nair found that Radhakrishnan played a key role in shelving the project. Radhakrishnan and CSIR Director General Samir K Brahmachari conspired together to scrap the committee. The news shocked him,” says an insider, throwing light on the aborting of the project.
When asked about the RTA committee report, Nair was evasive. “I submitted the feasibility report to CSIR last June. We did a good job by submitting a report within a year of the constitution of the committee. It’s for them to act,” replies Nair.
In ISRO, there is no dearth of stories about these star wars in the stratosphere. Every day, new and colourful conspiracy theories are circulated and discussed. Insiders agree that the working environment has changed dramatically after the Devas scandal. Many scientists feel demoralised in this tense phase of one of the most prestigious organisations in the country.
Q&A Bhaskaranarayana Former Scientific Secretary
‘I’m paying a high price for dreaming like a fool’
LEAN AND tall, Bhaskaranarayana is known among space scientists as a loner and dreamer. This expert on satellite communication spent 37 years inISRO in different capacities. He tells Jeemon Jacob that he will clear his name.
Bhaskaranarayana, Former Scientific Secretary
EXCERPTS FROM AN INTERVIEW
How do you feel after the Union government blacklisted you along with fellow scientists in the Antrix-Devas deal? I feel humiliated, cheated; depressed and slightly demotivated. I lived my whole life with dignity, concentrating on my missions. I was only worried about failing as a scientist. I never had time to enjoy life, to mingle with the outside world. But now I find I was treated like a second class citizen. All kinds of stories are floating, painting me a villain who ditched the country.
The majority of Devas board members and executives were former colleagues. Were you ever influenced by them to circumvent rules? Your question hurts me. Why should I favour them — for money? Look at my house. It’s an ordinary house without luxuries. Coming back to your question: Devas chairman MG Chandrashekharan was one year junior to me. We had worked together in 1981 when he was working on the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite Series. He left ISRO in 1997 and joined WorldSpace. Like that, I know most of the people who work in my area of interest. Like artists know fellow artists, we knew each other. I wanted to put India ahead of other nations in satellite communications. Now I’m paying a very high price for dreaming like a fool.
Did anybody put pressure on you to clear the project in favour of Devas? There was no pressure and no arm-twisting. Like many other proposals that came for our consideration, I objectively analysed it and found a great opportunity for India. In 2004, there was no 2G scam or spectrum auction.
Are you going to fight to restore your reputation? At 67, I don’t have many more miles to go before I sleep. But the way in which I was dumped hurts me. I don’t deserve such treatment.
Source:- Dogfight In ISRO | Tehelka.com
A year after the $300 million Antrix-Devas agreement was spiked, there is dismay about how our scientists are being treated. Abhishek Bhalla and G Vishnu report
Devas had leased S-band spectrum from ISRO satellites, Photo: AFP
THREE COMMITTEES, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report and four scientists barred from any government assignment — this is the status of the probe into the $300 million Antrix-Devas deal one year after it was annulled citing “strategic reasons”.
The agreement signed in 2005 was spiked by the government last February, despite the defence ministry, intelligence agencies and the PMO giving the necessary clearances for leasing out S-band spectrum. Rumour has it that the CAG report, which is yet to be made public, has pegged the presumptive loss at Rs 2 lakh crore.
In 2000, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) decided to open the space sector for private investment. It made a policy to boost satellite-based communication technology viable for commercial consumption. ISRO’s marketing arm Antrix signed an MoU in 2003 with US-based Forge Advisors to attract investment in digital multimedia services. Later, Forge Advisors established Devas Multimedia and hired many former ISRO officials. According to the deal, Antrix would provide 70 MHZ S-band spectrum for 12 years. This was done by leasing 90 percent of the transponders in GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A, which were to be launched by ISRO.
Even though Devas had paid an advance fee of Rs 60 crore to Antrix, the government annulled the deal after allegations that it was heavily skewed in Devas’ favour.
Last year, the government appointed three committees to look into the ‘shady’ deal. The BR Suresh panel is said to have given a clean chit to the scientists. The Chaturvedi-Narasimha panel does not speak of financial loss but says there were procedural deviations. The third report by a high-powered panel headed by former Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha is still shrouded in secrecy. It is based on this report that the government has taken action against the four scientists.
However, the government’s action has drawn flak. “The scientists have been treated badly. This will hurt the national space programme,” says Space Commission member Roddam Narasimha, who was part of the Chaturvedi-Narasimha panel. He feels the responsibility lies with the prime minister to clear the air. “The reports should be made public,” he says.
Whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was privy to the conditions of the deal is something that has been contested by many. The PMO’s stand is that the PM was not in the know. Even Madhavan Nair, former ISRO chief and one of the scientists punished by the government, asserts that the agreement does not come under the ambit of the government since it’s an internal matter of Antrix. Even ISRO has maintained that the PMO or the Cabinet was not aware of the deal till 2010.
Aborted project: Devas CEO Ramachandran Vishwanathan, Photo: Shaillendra Pandey
However, Devas CEO Ramchandaran Vishwanathan had said earlier that German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle discussed the deal when he met the PM in October 2010. He also spoke about US State Department officials raising the issue with the PMO. In an earlier interview with TEHELKA, Vishwanathan said that there were others players in the race to get S-band spectrum. “We understand that two other large industrial corporations had already explored options of such services with ISRO/Antrix,” he had said.
This raises a pertinent question on the ‘first-come first-served’ policy that may have given scope for a massive scam.
Former Antrix MD KR Sridhara Murthy, who is one of the barred scientists, refutes the argument. “In 2000, the SATCOM policy was brought about to increase commercial usage of multimedia technology,” he says.
CNR Rao, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the PM, is aghast at the situation. “The government should not treat scientists like this. These are the minds that build the nation. There won’t be any scientists left if this is how we treat our technical intelligentsia,” he says. However, he ducks questions on the culpability of the scientists. “The government set up committee after committee. It shouldn’t jump to conclusions and bar the scientists from taking up official duties,” he adds.
Meanwhile, Nair says this is a witchhunt. “We don’t have a clear picture about the Sinha report but we are aware that the report has stated seven persons are under scrutiny — four scientists and three bureaucrats. But action has been taken only against the technical people,” he says.
‘I have asked for information through RTI. Once I get it, I will chalk out my plans,’ says Madhavan Nair
A mere glance at the scientists’ track record shows their illustrious career in building India’s space sector. It was under Nair’s leadership that India launched the Chandrayan project, the nation’s first unmanned mission to the moon. Bhaskar Narayana was the Scientific Secretary in the Department of Space for four years. He was responsible for building India’s communication satellite constellation. KN Shankara is a top specialist in the communication sector. Former Antrix MD Murthy is credited with catapulting ISRO from a company worth Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,000 crore.
The scientists are unsure if they should take legal action against the government. “I want to know the rationale behind the government’s action. I have asked for information through RTI. Once I get it, I will chalk out my plans,” says Nair.
Aborted project: former ISRO chief Madhavan Nair Photo: Shailendra Pandey
As for the government and ISRO, everyone has maintained a tight lip. Repeated efforts to get a response from ISRO were in vain. However, V Narayanasamy, Minister of State, PMO, told TEHELKA that the government is willing to listen to the scientists’ grievances. “Action against them has been taken after the findings of the high-powered committee,” he says.
A Devas official adds, “We have no comment. The matter is sub judice since it is being taken up by the Supreme Court.”
TEHELKA HAS learnt that many former ISRO officials were working with Devas when the deal was struck. When TEHELKA asked Nair whether this could be called a conflict of interest, he replied, “The government took a policy decision in 2000 to encourage ISRO employees to start companies. It was decided that technical help will be provided by ISRO. If the employees started a company to boost satellite-based multimediacommunication service, there’s nothing wrong in that.”
In a letter dated 6 July 2010, the Department of Telecom had opposed ISRO’s plans of leasing out S-band spectrum. The then telecom secretary PJ Thomas had argued that S-band spectrum was crucial for strategic purposes and could not be used for commercial purposes. This appears to be in contravention of the SATCOM policy, says a former ISRO scientist. “When the deal was signed, there was a need for private players to come in. The policy was adopted to encourage private investment. It was a conscious decision,” he says.
While Devas and Antrix battle it out in court, a similar fight between scientists and the government is looming large. However, the actual proportion of the scam, if there is one, will be clear only when the CAG report as well as the other reports are made public. But then, the number of committees and the possible contradictions in them leave many questions unanswered. The primary one is: Why has the government not considered legal action if there indeed was a suspected financial loss?
Source:- The Truth is Out There | Tehelka.com
The murky controversy raging over damning debar on former Indian Space Research Organisation Chief and secretary of Department of Space G Madhavan Nair and three other scientists is blamed on its current chief Dr K Radhakrishnan for misleading the government in the Antrix-Devas deal probe for a sadistic revenge.
Many scientists have come out in protest at damning of the finest space scientists in this manner, while Dr R G Nadadur, a 1980 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Karnataka cadre who got a voluntary retirement early last month, has brought out how Nair became a victim of the "massive witch-hunt" mounted by his successor Radhakrishnan who took over from him in 2009.
He says he was totally devastated and demoralised by the guns turned on him in September and October "when I was painted as one of the chief architects of the so-called scam."
His only crime was that he had tried to persuade the ISRO chief, who is also secretary of DOS to desist from "a massive witch-hunt to 'fix' all those who did not support him in his earlier years in ISRO."
While Nadadur, who served the organisation for over nine years, exited quietly without making any public issue with Radhakrishnan, two emails he sent out to his batch-mates and friends on January 6 and 7 show the rotten state of affairs.
"I planned to exit gracefully rather than taking the secretary head-on in a clash, which would have brought greater odium to DOS/ISRO and demoralised everyone concerned," he explains.
He states in the emails, shared by a batch-mate with this correspondent, that perhaps he is the only IAS officer "who has seen/known/worked with all the persons, who have headed DOS/ISRO," and hence the request not to make the mistake of concluding from the unhappy incident he has put behind that DOS/ISRO is full of such persons.
He points out that "I really love the organisation, and I still do."
"It remains one of India's greatest organisations and has great scientists, technologists and others, who are working very hard on several programmes and projects. What is needed is the right kind of leadership. If that is done, these women and men are capable of making us even more proud, in the years to come, with their achievements. In such a case, we can be prepared to see our countryfolk on the Moon and Mars, our own space shuttle and several other technological breakthroughs, all in our own lifetime," he affirms.
He, however, wonders if many would have the atmosphere necessary to remain immersed in research if Radhakrishnan's 'mischiefs'' are not nailed and he is thrown out. He recalls how he was tried to be implicated in the so-called Antrix-Devas "scam" that left him with a very deep scar of hurt "as I had slogged day-and-night for the organisation, and handled almost every matter in DOS/ISRO, technical and non-technical.
Nadadur, or simply Raghu as he is known in the IAS circles, accuses Radhakrishnan misusing his position on the inquiry committee set up by the prime minister to probe the S-band spectrum deal "to present certain decisions that were taken by his predecessor as a 'scam' and further engage in a massive witch-hunt to 'fix' all those who did not support him in his years in ISRO.
"He (Radhakrishnan) left ISRO at some stage but was rehabilitated by his predecessor and placed in a position to succeed him. Now, this ungrateful person is trying to 'fix' his predecessor.
"Since I had worked with the previous Secretary as his JS and CVO for 5 years, I kept pointing out to the present secretary that there was no mala fide in the actions of his predecessor and that he was just a go-getter and flamboyant. I feel, in retrospect, that the present secretary may not have liked my advice."
Raghu writes, "The inquiry provided the present secretary with a golden opportunity of 'fixing' his predecessor and several others, including me. I was supposed to have been derelict in discharging my duty, of not exercising due diligence and also of misleading the Union Cabinet."
"This has, apparently, been approved at the highest level in Government. So, there is no 'scam'!"
Raghu writes that after this very unsavoury episode that left him totally devastated and demoralised that he decided not to serve in the government any more and called it a day." He concludes his email with the following advice:
"I hear that some batch-mates have been approached to become AS and FA in Department of Space. My advise is that with this kind of person at the helm, it may be best to keep away, even if one is tempted to stay in Bangalore. There is grave danger in this post, with this cantankerous, unstable, moody and vindictive person," he writes.
"He is indecisive to boot. He also seems to have a great inferiority complex when it comes to IAS officers and would like to show his power by ruining their careers and happiness. My predecessor, G Balachandran was forced out of the department. I have become the second victim. The next person may also have a similar or worse fate, so long as this person stays on as Secretary. So, all prospective candidates, beware. You are now forewarned," he concludes.
Source:- What ails ISRO? An insider's report - Rediff.com India News
The whole lot was from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka......... a gang of crooked ex-ISRO employees and ex-worldspace Radio executives. Not a very smart bunch either. 
