CPI(M) demands immediate halt to privatisation of ISRO

The CPI(M) on Monday demanded an immediate halt to what it termed the “privatisation” of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), alleging that the move could compromise national security and create dependence on private players in strategically-important areas.

“The Communist Party of India (Marxist) denounces the privatisation of ISRO and demands its immediate halt,” the party’s Politburo said in a statement.

It said the ISRO’s contributions to defence, agriculture, disaster management, weather forecasting and remote sensing are “strategically important for India’s economy and security”.

“Privatising such a critical, self-reliant institution would create unwanted dependence on the private sector in matters of vital national importance,” the party said. The CPI(M) also questioned recent remarks by IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka that the ISRO would no longer manufacture launch vehicles.

“Pawan Goenka’s comments that ISRO will no longer manufacture launch vehicles reveals a sinister design of handing over space research infrastructure built over seven decades by dedicated Indian scientists to private players,” it said.

The party claimed that the shift is part of the Indian Space Policy 2023, which opened the space sector to private players and offered liberal concessions to foreign investment.

It alleged that the policy is being pursued “in the deceptive name of cost-effectiveness in launch operations”.

The CPI(M) referred to a report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change presented in March, saying it had expressed “serious concern over the transfer of public assets to private entities, without transparency or accountability”. The party further criticised the clarification issued by the ISRO in response to concerns raised by the Joint Action Committee of ISRO Staff Associations in its letter to the chief of the space agency.

“ISRO’s clarification issued in response to concerns raised by the Joint Action Committee of ISRO Staff Associations through their joint letter to the ISRO chief attempts to defend the policy. However, it fails to address the core anxiety that national security may be compromised,” the CPI(M) said.

The party said it stands with the scientists, technologists and staff seeking the strengthening of the ISRO.

“The CPI(M) stands for the protection of the country’s strategic interests and with the scientists, technologists and staff who are demanding the strengthening of ISRO. It opposes all the attempts to privatise such a crucial institution,” it said.