Former ISRO Chief Barred from Holding Government Jobs

The government of India has barred former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief G Madhavan Nair and three other eminent space scientists from holding any government jobs as part of taking action in the controversial Antrix-Devas deal.

There was a committee set up under former Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha, which has given the report on the controversial Antrix-Devas deal.

K Bhaskaranarayana, former scientific secretary at ISRO, K R Sridharamurthi, former managing director of Antrix, commercial arm of ISRO, and K N Shankara, former director of the ISRO satellite centre, are the other scientists penalized by the government.

Meanwhile, Nair has hit back at the current leadership of ISRO and the Prime Minister's Office for blacklisting him from future government positions. If there is any such allegation, the proper thing to do is to give the accused person a charge-sheet and then follow that with an inquiry, Nair said.

Nair attacked the allegation against him that under him, Antrix Corporation, which is a government of India company, did not ask the government before entering into the Devas deal to lease out two transponders.

Nair is credited with overseeing several achievements in India's space field. The country's ambitious moon mission was launched in 2008 when he was ISRO chief. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honor, in 2009.