<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p> But his disappointment over the way former Isro chairman Madhavan Nair and company were treated by the Centre, was not something that originated recently.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.”<br /><br />Narayanasamy, stating that the Centre hold the scientists of the country in high regard, requested Narasimha to reconsider his resignation. <br /><br />Yet to see<br /><br />“I am yet to see the resignation letter, but I request Roddam to reconsider it,” he said, adding that his loss would be irreplaceable.<br /><br />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.”</p>
<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p> But his disappointment over the way former Isro chairman Madhavan Nair and company were treated by the Centre, was not something that originated recently.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.”<br /><br />Narayanasamy, stating that the Centre hold the scientists of the country in high regard, requested Narasimha to reconsider his resignation. <br /><br />Yet to see<br /><br />“I am yet to see the resignation letter, but I request Roddam to reconsider it,” he said, adding that his loss would be irreplaceable.<br /><br />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.”</p>
