CCS to take final decision on Antrix-Devas deal: PM

During an interaction with news channels’ editors, he said that inter-ministerial consultations on the matter are “almost” complete and the issue is now “expected” to be placed before the cabinet committee for security (CCS) for “a final decision”.

“Eventually, it has been decided that the government should take a sovereign policy decision regarding the utilisation of space segment capacity which uses S-band spectrum having regard to the country’s strategic requirement,” he added.

Singh said that a number of letters were received by the members of space commission including officials in the PMO from Devas till a few days ago. Letters were also received in PMO from the US chamber of commerce but no action was taken on any of these letters, “which were merely filed”, he said. “At no stage, department of space was asked by the PMO to comment on the points made in these letters. They had no impact, whatsoever, on the processing of the case,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that there has been no “back room talks” with Devas. “I think I have not met anybody myself,” he said rubbishing reports that the German Foreign Minister had raised Devas issue with him during his visit to India in October last year. “It is fact that meeting did take place between the Devas and the department of space, ISRO and Antrix after July last year since the agreement had not actually been annulled but no further actions were taken by the department of Space or ISRO to implement the agreement. No assurance was given in contravention of the recommendations of the space commission,” he said.