Clear the air on action against scientists: Srinivasan

Bangalore, Feb 2: Questioning as to why action has been taken only against scientists in the Antrix-Devas deal, eminent nuclear scientist M R Srinivasan today sought greater transparency on the issue.

"Are these scientists solely responsible? Are there others also? Who were the others in the decision-making loop? Is there responsibility placed on them also?" the former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission told PTI here. "Why action only against the scientists and not others also?"

"Greater degree of transparency is required. Otherwise it (the ISRO row) will go on and unfortunately it will affect to some extent the good reputation of ISRO", he said. "After all I still believe ISRO is a good organisation with many, many competent people doing excellent job".

"I am quite sure that now public needs to know what exactly the committees have said and how they have arrived at responsibility on them and not others", he said, adding, one needs to know on what grounds action has been taken.

"They (the four scientists) have legitimate right to ask why action has been taken. Madhavan Nair (former ISRO chief) and the other three scientists have to be satisfied that no injustice has been done to them".

Srinivasan stressed that the ISRO row should not be allowed to "torn down" the organisation "in the middle" and scientists expressing loyalty to "one or other". "Clear the air and move on".

PTI