Government has said, it is ready to hear the points of view of four Space scientists, who have been barred from occupying any government posts in connection with the Antrix- Devas deal.

Talking to a news agency Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. V.Narayanswamy said that the Government would consider the version of the scientists also.

The Government had earlier this month barred former ISRO Chairman Madhavan Nair and three other senior space scientists from all current and future government jobs for their alleged role in Antrix Corporation's deal with Devas Multimedia for leasing out bulk transponders on two satellites for launch of digital multimedia services. The contract related to allocation of scarce S-band segment to private firm Devas.

The government had taken action after considering a report of the high powered committee (HPC) that went into the Devas deal and that of another panel which examined the HPC report.

The Prime Minister had on May 31st, last year constituted a 5-member high-level team under the chairmanship of former Central Vigilance Commissioner Pratyush Sinha to examine aspects of the agreement between Antrix and Devas.

Following the order, Madhavan Nair has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT, Patna.