ISRO employee bodies raise questions against privatisation again, seek clarity on agency’s future

The October 7 letter said a recent video-conference with employees failed to address their “fundamental doubts and concerns”.

The Joint Action Council of the nine employee associations of the Department of Space and Indian Space Research Organisation centres have again written to chairman V Narayanan seeking an early meeting to discuss the agency’s future role, technology transfer, privatisation of manufacturing and operations, staffing, recruitment and employee safeguards.

The employees' associations have written to ISRO chairman V Narayanan seeking an early meeting to discuss the agency’s future role. (ANI/ Representational)

The October 7 letter said a recent video-conference with employees failed to address their “fundamental doubts and concerns”.

The associations also raised concerns over cadre stagnation, recruitment delays, attrition, concentration of functional posts, vigilance clearance and weakening of Joint Consultative Mechanisms. They said public statements suggesting Isro may eventually stop manufacturing launch vehicles had caused anxiety among employees and aspiring recruits, without corresponding official clarification on policy, its legal basis or impact on the workforce.

The associations urged that NGLV receive priority and core strategic technologies remain under public control. They also sought consultation before any “irreversible steps” affecting ISRO’s mandate, structure and staffing are taken.