Government says it is in the process of reviewing the deal between Indian Space Research Organisation's Commercial arm, Antrix Corporation Ltd and a Bangalore based multi-media firm. In a statement issued by ISRO in New Delhi says that government will take whatever steps necessary to safeguard the public interest. The statement added that a decision on the matter is likely to be taken soon. In a related development the CAG has clarified that the audit findings on the department of space have not yet been finalized. Reacting to media reports in a section of press it said that the audit is underway and some enquires raised in the audit are yet to be replied by the department. BJP on the other hand demanded a statement from the Prime Minister on the issue in which preliminary reports put the estimated loss to the exchequer around over two lakh crore rupees.The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a comprehensive probe into the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) estimates of a two lakh crore rupees loss to the exchequer due to the agreement between Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) commercial wing and a private company in 2005. The party has sought an immediate clarification from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the government's position. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, party spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said it is a very serious scandal. She said there should be a comprehensive inquiry to establish criminality. Seeking cancellation of the 2005 agreement, she alleged that scarce S-band spectrum had been given to a private agency. Ms Sitharaman demanded the agreement should be revoked.The Left parties have also said the new revelations were very serious.
News On AIR | February 8, 2011 1:59 PM
ISRO spectrum deal under review: Govt