The Joint Action Council (JAC), representing nine Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) employees’ associations, have sought a meeting with the Chairperson of the space agency, Dr. V. Narayanan, to discuss key issues, like emerging threats of privatisation and transfer of technology, among others.
In a letter dated October 7, the nine associations requested an early structured personal interaction or meeting to discuss the future role of ISRO, emerging threats of privatisation, transfer of technology, and operational functions of launch vehicles and facilities.
Multiple issues
They have sought a clarification on other pressing employee issues, including inordinate stagnation after Cadre Review, recruitment and attrition, concentration of functional positions, vigilance clearance relating to Performance Related Incentive Scheme (PRIS), and restoration of Joint Consultative Mechanisms (Joint Consultative Machinery).
This is the second letter by the JAC following the first one on September 4. Following the first letter, Dr. Narayanan addressed ISRO employees in a video conference.
The JAC acknowledged the responses received from the Chairperson during a video-conference interaction with employees, but stated that fundamental doubts and concerns raised by employees were not clarified.
“The core questions regarding the future mandated role of ISRO, the policy on privatisation and transfer of manufacturing and operational functions, technology transfer, staffing and recruitment, and employee safeguards remain substantially unanswered,” JAC stated in the letter.
The JAC once again highlighted Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) Chairperson Pawan Kumar Goenka’s statement that ISRO will eventually cease making or manufacturing launch vehicles.
“These statements have not been accompanied by any corresponding official communication from the Department of Space explaining the approved policy, its legal and administrative basis, its phasing, or its consequences for the existing workforce and future public recruitment. We strongly object to transfer of LVM-3 till successful realisation of Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV),” the JAC wrote.
They stated that private participation in defined commercial activities can and should co-exist with a strong, public-owned ISRO.
“What cannot be accepted without transparent debate and safeguards is a policy trajectory that risks reducing ISRO to a residual R&D entity while the realisation of the nation’s launch vehicles and the operation of its launch infrastructure pass out of public hands,” the letter stated.
They said that long-pending and pressing employee issues, like anomalies arising after the implementation of cadre review, inadequate and delayed regular recruitment , holding of multiple functional positions by a few scientists, continue to cause hardship, uncertainty, and erosion of morale.
“In view of the above, and since the earlier address has not resolved the doubts, the JAC most respectfully requests that a formal structured personal interaction or meeting be convened at the earliest convenient date with the representatives of the nine service associations, under the chairmanship of the Secretary, DOS / Joint Secretary (Personnel),” it stated.
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