S-band spectrum scam: PM names panel to review ISRO deal

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appointed a high power committee to review various aspects and fix responsibility for lapses in the controversial deal between Antrix Corporation, ISRO's commercial arm, and a private company for lease of scarce S-band spectrum.

The two-member Committee, headed by former Cabinet Secretary and Member, Planning Commission B K Chaturvedi, has been asked to review the technical, commercial, procedural and financial aspects of the agreement between Antrix and Devas Multimedia Pvt. Ltd.

It will also review the adequacy of procedures and approval processes followed by Antrix, ISRO and Department of Space, and suggest improvements and changes and submit a report within a month.

Noted aerospace expert Roddam Narsimha, Member, Space Commission is the other member of the committee.

The Terms of Reference also tasks the committee to fix responsibility for lapses with regard to the agreement, which media reports claimed could have caused loss of Rs two lakh crore to the national exchequer.

A number of Union Ministers sought to know details about the deal at the meeting of the Cabinet today. The Prime Minister asked K Radhakrishnan, Secretary, Department of Space, to brief the ministers on the deal.

After a brief discussion on the issue, the Prime Minister told the Cabinet that he has already set up a committee and sought a report on the matter within a month. At this stage, it was decided to wait till the committee submits its report.

When pointed out that Chaturvedi was Cabinet Secretary when the deal was signed, I&B Minister Ambika Soni said she was not in a position to comment but added that "he would know how and why it happened".

Chaturvedi also dismissed as "bunkum" suggestions that he would not be able to give a fair report as he was Cabinet Secretary when the deal was signed.