Sivan called the reform a “real game-changer” and the involvement of private sector in ISRO a healthy trend

The space sector reforms announced by the government recently are not aimed at privatization of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) , said ISRO Chairman and Secretary in the Department of Space K Sivan on Thursday.

“When space sector reforms were announced by the government there were many misconceptions like it would lead to the privatization of ISRO. It is not. Again and again, I’m repeating it is not the privatization of ISRO,” Sivan was quoted as saying in a Hindustan Times report.

Addressing a webinar on “Unlocking of India’s Potential in Space Sector,” Sivan said that reforms aim to give a chance to the private players to carry out the space activities which are right now being done by ISRO.

He explained that the activities of ISRO were going to increase. The move to give private players an opportunity would enable it to better utilize its resources in taking up developmental as well as capacity building activities rather than the routine production activity, he said, according to a PTI report carried by Hindustan Times.

The Union Cabinet on June 24 approved the participation of the private sector in the entire range of space activities, including planetary exploration missions.

The cabinet had said that the newly-created Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) will provide a level playing field for private companies to use Indian space infrastructure, by hand-holding industries in space activities through encouraging policies and a friendly regulatory environment, the report said.

Sivan pointed out that the new reform is going to be a “real game-changer,” and the involvement of the private sector is a healthy trend, as per the report.

The ISRO chief said as India is following a new rulebook under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the import of communication satellites is in the embargo list and hence the new reform will provide huge opportunities for ISRO and the private sector to launch satellites.

The report further quoted Scientific Secretary to ISRO R Uma Maheshwaran as saying that the participation of the private sector in end-end space activities is a strategy to expand the space economy.