The Hindu : Front Page : Devas points to delay in launch of satellites

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Monday, Feb 14, 2011
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Devas points to delay in launch of satellites

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: Devas Multimedia, whose deal with the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Antrix Corporation, turned controversial, has pointed to delay in the launch of the two satellites by ISRO that would have put transponders in space to be used by Devas Multimedia.

Legally binding agreement

In a statement issued on Saturday night, the company said:

“Devas and its investors are confident that once the current misperceptions and inaccuracies are cleared, the legally binding agreement we entered into in good faith will be fulfilled, despite the delay of over two years that has caused DoS/ISRO/Antrix to be in material breach.”

However, the Space Commission, at its meeting held on July 2, 2010 asked the Department of Space to take necessary action and instruct Antrix to annul its deal with Devas “in view of priority to be given to the nation's strategic requirements including societal ones.”

“Evolve revised utilisation plan”

The commission had also directed DoS to “evolve a revised utilisation plan for GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites, which were to be launched specifically for Devas.”

The Additional Solicitor-General also opined that “the annulment should be done through a policy decision taken at the level of the Government of India, acting in its sovereign capacity.”

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