S-band Scam: PM office not involved in ISRO deal says Manmohan

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asserted that his office was not directly involved in the ISRO deal on satellite lease of S-band spectrum with Bangalore-based US firm Devas Multimedia.

Intervening in the Rajya Sabha when the issue came up during Question Hour, the Prime Minister, however, said that the lease issue of two satellites to enable the usage of the S-band spectrum through two geostationary satellites to the Devas Multimedia did come up in the Cabinet and the Space Department indirectly but specific commitments were not spelt out.

Earlier replying to the question of Dr T N Seema seeking to know if Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the ISRO had signed any agreement to lease out two satellites for Devas, Minister of State for PMO V Narayanasamy said the way the S-band was allocated to Devas Multimedia for commercial use was being probed by a high-powered committee.

He assured that the PM would take follow-up action when the panel came out with its findings. ''The Prime Minister will not spare anybody'', he remarked.

He said the proposal of G-SAT 6 satellite did come up before the Cabinet but for the G-SAT 6A, Cabinet approval was not required as the amount involved was less than Rs 175 crore.

In December 2009, a complaint was received and Suresh Committee was appointed following which the Space Commission decided to annul this deal in July 2010, he added.