Q. 3604: REPORT OF HIGH POWER REVIEW COMMITTEE

Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the High Power Review Committee constituted by the Government to review the technical, commercial, procedural and financial aspects of the cancelled agreement between ANTRIX and M/s. Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. has submitted its report to the Government;

(b) if so, the details of the report;

(c) whether the Committee has fixed responsibility for lapses; and

(d) if so, the action taken by the Government so far in this regard?

ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE(SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):

(a), (b) (c) & (d) Yes, Sir. Government set up a High Powered Review Committee on February 10, 2011 to review the technical, commercial, procedural and financial aspects of the Agreement between Antrix Corporation Limited and M/s Devas Multimedia Limited, to suggest corrective measures, and to fix responsibility for lapses, if any. The Committee was also asked to review the adequacy of procedures and approval processes followed by Antrix Corporation Limited, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space, and to suggest improvements and changes.

The High Powered Review Committee has since submitted its report to Government. Based on the examination of these recommendations, Government has initiated a number of actions. Further action will be taken as may be necessary. The steps taken so far include:

i) Department of Revenue and Ministry of Corporate Affairs have been asked to initiate investigations for possible acts of omission and commission.

ii) A High Level Team has been constituted for examination of various aspects of the Antrix-Devas agreement and identification of acts of omission and commission involved in signing thereof.

iii) Governance and systemic reform measures are being undertaken in the Department of Space, ISRO and ANTRIX. A Departmental Committee headed by Secretary, Department of Space will monitor the pace of their implementation. It has been decided that the Space Commission will regularly review the functioning of the Department of Space, ISRO and Antrix. The Space Commission would also mandate appropriate peer reviews periodically in respect of governance and systemic reforms. Several steps for improvement in the functioning and efficacy of the Space Commission have been put in place.

iv) A full time Chairman cum Managing Director of Antrix has been appointed with effect from July 07,2011.The Antrix Board is being re-constituted. Two officers at the level of Director have been appointed in the Department of Space to look after (i) Projects, Procurement and matters relating to Antrix, and (ii) Legal matters and Contracts. In order to facilitate co-ordination between the Department of Space and Antrix, a Co-ordination Management Committee headed by Secretary, Department of Space has been set up.

v) The INSAT Coordination Committee has been re-constituted and the first meeting of the reconstituted Committee has also been held.

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