Former ISRO chief to join Planning Commission: Montek

New Delhi, July 7 (ANI): Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Tuesday said that Rajya Sabha member Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan will be appointed as a member of the commission.

"Dr K Kasturirangan has to be appointed as member of the Planning Commission but he has not been appointed formally so far because he has to resign as Rajya Sabha member for the purpose," said Montek Singh Ahluwalia. r. Kasturirangan was responsible for directing the Indian Space programme for over 9 years, as Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Space Commission and as Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space, before retiring on August 27 2003.

He was earlier the Director of ISRO Satellite Centre, overseeing the development of new generation spacecraft, the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2) and the Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A and 1B) as well as scientific satellites.

He was also the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, Bhaskara-I and II.

Dr. Krishnaswamy is also a recipient of the three civilian awards from the Government of India, the Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000). (ANI)