EDUSAT failed due to deficiencies in actual implementation:CAG

The country's first thematic satellite EDUSAT failed to achieve its objectives due to deficiencies in actual implementation and inability to have a robust management structure, the CAG has said.
The EDUSAT programme, launched by Department of Space in 2004 to facilitate distance education in remote areas, envisaged a total investment of Rs 549.09 crore comprising direct investment of Rs 282.76 crore towards the launch of the spacecraft and further expenditure of Rs 266.33 crore on establishment of ground network.
"It was observed in audit that the EDUSAT failed to effectively achieve its objectives due to deficiencies in planning for the network connectivity, content generation and failure to have a robust management structure...The Objectives of implementation EDUSAT could not be met fully even at the end of its life," the CAG said in its report on Department of Space.

The panel noted that there were deficiencies in actual implementation of the programme such as delay in establishment of ground network, idling of network connectivity, disparities in the allocation and idling of satellite bandwidth, inadequate content generation and deficiencies in monitoring and evaluation.
"The replacement strategy for the existing satellite was also deficient resulting in idling of operational networks," it said.
The CAG noted that none of the 35 states and UTs achieved the envisaged level of 1200 interactive terminals for colleges and universities while in 13 states neither the networks nor interactive terminals were established.
It also noted that out of 30 states/UTs, where EDUSAT network was in place, only 10 of them had penetration of Receive Only Terminals (ROT) among primary schools and large states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam having substantial illiterate population had no ROT.