MUMBAI: Amid a lot of uproar in allocation of S-band spectrum to Devas Multimedia, the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has said that it was in the process of scrapping the contract.
Echoeing the stance Isro chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan said that the Devas-Antrix agreement was already under review. He further stated that the question of revenue loss does not arise as the deal was not actualised.
“We have not given spectrum or satellites to either of the two firms on 8 December 2009. The Department of Space decided to undertake a comprehensive review of the Antrix-Devas contract,” he emphasised.
The agreement was finalised and approved by the Antrix board in 2005 and, in December 2009, Isro decided to make a comprehensive review. In a July 2010 meeting, PMO decided to review the pact and the matter was referred to the Space Commission. The panel decided to annul the contract due to strategic requirement, Radhakrishnan maintained.
“We started the process to annul the contract long ago. We had to do that, not to embarrass and cause financial loss to Government. No financial loss has been incurred by the Government on account of this contract,” he added.
Radhakrishnan described media reports as exaggerated and said Isro leases transponders to public or private entities for money. “Before contracts are cleared, extensive amount of discussions take place. Terminating a contract is a very complex process. There is no delaying it,” he clarified.
The Isro chairman also confirmed that the contract had not been terminated yet. “An internal review process is on. Necessary action would be taken,” he said.
