No dilution of Space Commission decision on Devas: PM
By IANSWednesday, February 16, 2011
NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday refuted charges that his office was trying to dilute the Space Commission’s decision to annul the S-band spectrum deal between Indian space agency ISRO and private company Devas.
“There has been no effort in the PMO to dilute in any way the decision taken by the Space Commission on July 2 (2010 to cancel the deal) and on that I would like to assure you and the country,” prime minister said at a press conference.
He also denied suggestions of backroom talks with Devas on the issue.
“There have been no backroom talks and I have not met anybody. The decision of the space commission to annul the deal was taken on July 2 by Space Commission.”
The Comptroller and Auditor General has indicated that the deal between Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, and Devas caused the nation an estimated loss of Rs.2 lakh crore.
