ISRO row: Govt may speak to former scientists

The government has showed signs of blinking in the stand-off with former ISRO scientists. Sources have told CNN-IBN that the government will speak to Madhavan Nair and the other 3 former ISRO scientists soon.

The government is in fact expected to speak to the banned scientists to get their version. Sources say an immediate revocation of the decision to ban the scientists from government jobs may not happen but it can't be ruled out.

However, Madhavan Nair said that he has not heard anything directly from the government yet.

"I have only media inputs on the whole issue. Certainly if government asks me for any clarification, I would be happy to give the factual information on the whole issue. I have not heard anything directly. This is very strange that I am not getting any direct communication from the government on the whole issue. All of us believe that nothing wrong has happened in 2005-2006 as far as the Antrix-Devas deal is concerned," he said while talking to CNN-IBN.

Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy said that the government was ready to look into the points raised by former ISRO chief Madhavan Nair.

"The decision was taken on the basis of report submitted by the committee. Government respects scientists. We have nothing against anyone. He has raised points and we are ready to consider all issues," he said.