Roddam resigns from space panel

Eminent aerospace scientist Roddam Narasimha has resigned from the Space Commission citing the treatment meted out to some former Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) scientists, in connection with the controversial $300 million Antrix-Devas deal.

But his disappointment over the way former Isro chairman Madhavan Nair and company were treated by the Centre, was not something that originated recently.

According to well-placed sources in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Narasimha had offered to resign soon after the order preventing Nair and three other scientists — A Bhaskaranarayana, Shridhar Murthi and Shankara –– from being re-employed was public.

“He had expressed his discontent over the action against the scientists and had offered to resign. But he was persuaded to stay back,” an official said.

Confirming the news, Minister of State in PMO, V Narayanasamy told Deccan Herald: “Yes, he had offered to resign when the action was taken against the scientists.”

Narayanasamy, stating that the Centre hold the scientists of the country in high regard, requested Narasimha to reconsider his resignation.

Yet to see

“I am yet to see the resignation letter, but I request Roddam to reconsider it,” he said, adding that his loss would be irreplaceable.

Narasimha, who remained elusive on Friday released a statement about his resignation, which read: “In connection with the reports that have appeared in the media today, I wish to clarify that I have requested the Prime Minister to permit me to relinquish my membership of the Space Commission.”