Have transferred 10 operational communication satellites to space PSU, government tells Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that it transferred 10 in-orbit operational communication satellites to space PSU New Space India Ltd (NSIL) to push space reforms.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, space minister Jitendra Singh said communication satellites — Gsat-8, Gsat-10, Gsat-12R (CMS-01), Gsat-14, Gsat-15, Gsat-16, Gsat-17, GSAT-18, Gsat-30 and Gsat-31 — have been transferred at a written down value of Rs 4,697.6 crore against issue of equity to the government with April 1, 2021 as effective date of transfer.
The board of NSIL is authorised to price the transponder capacity as per global trends. The NSIL shall carry out activities related to offering and allocation of capacity as per guidelines. The transfer of operational satellites is part of the space sector reforms aimed at strengthening the role of the NSIL to enhance the nation’s share in the global space economy.
The minister also said that the government has taken several steps to increase India’s share in the global space market, through the reforms undertaken in 2020, which seek to augment the space sector in the country with greater participation of non-governmental entities.