Narayanasamy says government open to talks with Madhavan Nair

NEW DELHI: With leaders of the scientific community, including the head of the Prime Minister's Scientific Advisor, Prof CNR Rao, coming out against barring Madhavan Nair from occupying government posts over the Antrix-Devas deal, the government on Sunday said it was open to talks with Nair.

"We are ready to hear their points of view. Let them give their views," minister of state in the PMO V Narayanasamy said.

The government had earlier this month barred Nair and three other senior space scientists from all current and future government jobs for their alleged role in leasing out bulk transponders on two satellites for launch of digital multimedia services to Devas.

The government had said that the action was based on the recommendations made by the Pratyush Sinha committee.

Nair and other scientists were not given an opportunity to present their arguments for backing the deal. Interestingly, the government took action against only the scientists when the committee recommended action against four senior bureaucrats as well.

Nair had said that the action was in "violation of principle of natural justice".

In a hard-sitting statement, Prof Rao had charged the government with "throwing out scientists like garbage."