Following reports that more than 100 scientists have sought to leave the organisation in recent months, the Department of Space has reportedly instructed major Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) centres not to routinely approve resignation or voluntary retirement requests from personnel involved in critical national missions, including Gaganyaan.
The directive, issued through a memorandum on Tuesday, applies mainly to Group 'A' scientific and technical staff. According to a PTI report, ISRO centres have been told not to routinely process resignation or voluntary retirement applications from scientists and engineers working on key projects.
"Of late, it is noticed that there has been a spate of requests for voluntary retirement and resignation from Group 'A' Scientific/ Technical personnel of ISRO including those associated with the prestigious Gaganyaan and other important missions/ projects severely impacting the implementation of projects of national importance," said the memorandum.
"In view of this, it has been decided that voluntary retirement and resignation requests from Scientific & Technical personnel associated with the Gaganyaan and other important Mission/ Projects may not be accepted as a matter of routine," it added.
The memorandum further stated that applications submitted by scientists and technical personnel, including those at or below the rank of scientist and engineer, must be referred to the Department of Space along with the respective director's “clear recommendations” before a final decision is taken.
The communication has been received by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
The development follows reports indicating that more than 100 scientists and engineers across ISRO centres have submitted resignation requests over the past month.
Although ISRO has not officially disclosed the total number of resignations, TOI reported that more than 80 scientists have left the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, while around 20 personnel have exited the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Responding to the reported departures, ISRO chairman V Narayana acknowledged the situation and said the organisation had measures in place to minimise any disruption.
"Yes, a lot of people go, but that's part of every organisation. The move [memorandum] isn't only to retain, but also to ensure that important projects don't suffer all of a sudden. But if someone is still going, someone else will take responsibility. We're taking care of it," he was quoted as saying.
