50% budget boost by House panel for ISRO

BENGALURU, FEBRUARY 5:  

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology meeting held at ISRO Satellite integration & Testing Establishment (ISITE) bring cheers to the management as Committee approved 50% budget hike for up-gradation, scientific manpower & other Development aspects. 

Ashwani Kumar, Chairman of the committee, addressing reporters said ISRO’s current budget is ₹5,800 crore and non-Plan allocation is ₹1,400 crore. Justifying the hike, Ashwani Kumar said it will help ISRO enhance its manpower, especially high-tech scientific manpower which help in launching more satellites. “An organisation like ISRO should not be starved of funds,” he added. “We have been informed about the need for enhancing manpower, particularly the scientific manpower of ISRO, the lack of which was disabling the organisation to optimise its potential.”

Current Budget: 5,800 crores

Non-Plan allocation: 1,400 crores

AS Kiran Kumar, ISRO Chairman said the process of hiring more scientists was being initiated. This depends on the Centre’s approval. “We need manpower for producing various satellites and also bolster our R&D set up to develop new generation satellite and launch vehicles,” he said.

IRNSS constellation of Indian Navigation Satellites is also going to be complete by March.