Q.1268: S BAND SPECTRUM

Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the high level Committee constituted for probing the deal between Antrix Corporation Limited and Devas Multi-Media Limited for S-band Spectrum after annulment of the said deal has submitted its report;

(b) if so, the details of the recommendations made by the Committee;

(c) whether the Committee has noticed glaring procedural lapses while finalizing the whole deal;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government against the officials/scientists found responsible for losses to the exchequer and favouring Devas Multi-Media;

(e) whether it is a fact that scientists have not been given an opportunity to put their view point during the course of the said probe; if so, the reasons therefor; and

(g) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Committee and also to ensure that such irregularities do not happen in future?
ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):

(a) Yes Sir. The High Level Team (Pratyush Sinha Committee) has submitted its report.

(b) The conclusions and recommendations of the High Level team have been put on the ISRO website (www.isro.gov.in) and Department of Space website (www.dos.gov.in).

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) The High Level Team (HLT), while detailing its findings, has pointed out that there have been serious lapses of judgment on the part of number of officials. In case of some, their actions verged on the point of serious violation of norms and breach of public trust. The HLT also has identified officers responsible for various types of commissions and omissions. HLT noted that the approval process of the Agreement was riddled with incomplete and inaccurate information given to Cabinet and Space Commission. HLT observed that the terms of the Agreement were heavily loaded in favour of Devas. Therefore the HLT concluded that there have been not only serious administrative and procedural lapses but also suggestion of collusive behavior on the part of certain individuals.

The High Level Team, on the balance of facts and evidences available has come to the conclusion that four officers are responsible for various acts of commissions and four other officers responsible for the acts of omission. Based on the findings of the High Level Team, four former scientists of the Department of Space have been excluded from re-employment, committee roles or any other important role under the Government and have been divested of any current assignment / consultancy with the Government.

(e) & (f) No, Sir. The High Level Team had sent detailed letters to all the above four officials in July 2011 seeking clarifications for their involvement in various lapses and issues, including those pointed out by High Powered Review Committee. While requesting clarifications within 10 days, it was also stated that (i) In case there is a requirement, the officer may also be requested to appear before the HLT and (ii) If the officer desires, the HLT would be willing to give opportunity for personal hearing and giving views regarding the agreement. HLT received written replies from the above four officers. Chairman of the HLT provided opportunity for personal hearing as requested by former Chairman of ISRO. Former Chairman of ISRO followed it up with a letter to Chairman, HLT on August 10, 2011.

(g) Based on the recommendations of the High Powered Review Committee and the recommendations of the High Level Team a set of other actions have been taken by, Department of as given below:-

i. Secretary, DOS/ Chairman, ISRO relinquished the post of Chairman, ANTRIX. A full-time Chairman-cum-Managing Director has been appointed on July 7, 2011. A Coordination Management Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, DOS was constituted with representatives from ISRO and ANTRIX. The Antrix Board is being re-constituted.

ii. DOS secretariat has been strengthened by appointing a Director

(Legal) and Director (Projects and Procurement). Appointment of a Director level functionary for Costing is under process. The Internal Audit function of DOS has been restructured and strengthened with (i) A centralized internal Audit, (ii) An Audit plan and Audit calendar and a training scheme put in place.

iii. The Satellite Communication and Navigation Programme Office, at ISRO/DOS Headquarters, has been restructured into three separate Wings, dealing with (i) Frequency Management, (ii) SATCOM Policy Implementation and (iii) Satellite Communication programmes.

iv. SATCOM Policy (1997) as well as the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (2000), approved by Cabinet have been put on the ISRO Website in July 2011 and later on the DOS Website.

v. Prof. Goverdhan Mehta has been added as Member in the Space Commission to give a different perspective as a scientist.

vi. A Standing Project Appraisal Committee is constituted to review all Project proposals before being taken up to Space Commission for approval.

vii. Space Commission is periodically apprised on matters related to ANTRIX.

viii. The reconstituted INSAT Coordination Committee (ICC) has already met twice during 2011. Technical Advisory Group and Standing Pricing Committee have also been activated. The allocation of transponders of GSAT-8 and GSAT-12 has been cleared by ICC on November 29, 2011. ICC is evolving revised guidelines for transponder allocation in future. Costing and revision in pricing are being addressed by ICC. Matters related to orbital slots and spectrum, including possible usage of S-band orbital slots available with DOS, are also being addressed by ICC.

ix. A revised utilization plan has been made for GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites, taking into account the strategic and societal imperatives of the country.

x. Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Department of Revenue have been requested to conduct necessary investigation for possible acts of omission and commission.

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