ISRO Resignation Policy: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh gave a big statement on the strictness on the resignations of scientists associated with the Gaganyaan mission in ISRO and the questions raised regarding the Kudankulam nuclear plant.
Many questions have been raised in recent times regarding India’s space and nuclear energy programs. On one hand, ISRO has increased its strictness on the resignation and voluntary retirement (VRS) of scientists associated with important missions like Gaganyaan, while on the other hand, the news of leakage of sensitive data regarding Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) also intensified. Now Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh has clarified the government’s stand on both the issues.
Why was strictness increased on resignations in ISRO?
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the new instruction issued by ISRO is purely for administrative reasons. He clarified that there is no controversy or extraordinary situation behind this.
According to the minister, ISRO employs a large number of scientific and technical staff. From time to time some people leave the institute and new experts also join. He said that considering the role of experienced scientists in important projects, now decisions in such matters will be taken more carefully at higher levels. In the instructions issued on July 14, it was said that resignations or VRS applications of Group ‘A’ scientific and technical staff associated with Gaganyaan and other important missions will not be accepted regularly.
What did the Union Minister say on Gaganyaan Mission?
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that ISRO projects do not stop because of the retirement of any one person. He met former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Giving the example of Somnath, he said that the work in the institute goes on continuously and even retired scientists keep contributing to the projects when needed.
He reminded that preparations for the Gaganyaan mission have been going on for years. Sending humans into space and bringing them back safely is the biggest technical challenge and ISRO is continuously working in that direction.
What does the government say on the Kudankulam nuclear plant?
The Union Minister also clarified the situation on the apprehensions of sensitive data being leaked regarding the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. He said that at present no such evidence has come to the fore to believe that the sensitive information of the plant has been compromised.
He indicated that the kind of discussions that are taking place have no direct relation with strategic security. The matter is being investigated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
It is noteworthy that currently two 1000 MW capacity nuclear reactors are operating in the Kudankulam project located in Tamil Nadu, while the construction of four additional units is going on. After completion of all the units, it is poised to become the largest nuclear power park in the country with a capacity of 6000 MW.