Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh accused the previous Congress governments of controlling the space department and excluding the common man and industry from it. He stated that the Modi government has created a supportive environment for the success of India’s space program.
During a debate on the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3, Singh mentioned that there are now 150 startups in the space sector, compared to only four before 2014. He also highlighted that the space budget has increased by 142% in the last nine years.
Singh responded to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s comment about ignoring achievements in the space domain over the last six decades. He stated that the common man was previously not allowed to enter space institutions and that the space department was kept secret and isolated from other stakeholders and industries.
Singh acknowledged the progress made since the early and mid-1960s, when India’s space program started with limited resources compared to countries like the Soviet Union and the United States. He praised Veeramuthuwel, the project director of Chandrayaan-3, who was present in the gallery.
Singh emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, the team behind the space program works diligently without seeking recognition or engaging in politics. He also mentioned that Veeramuthuwel was appointed by the current government and is not a dynast.
