PM not allowed to make statement on GSLV in RS

NEW DELHI, APRIL 19. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today beat a hasty retreat on his decision to make a congratulatory statement on the GSLV launch in Rajya Sabha after the Congress said it would not allow him to speak after question hour. Soon after the House met, the Chairman, Mr. Krishan Kant, said he would make way for Mr. Vajpayee to make statement on the GSLV launch as the former had given notice for the same after question hour.

Interrupting, the Congress member, Mr. Suresh Pachauri, said it would be sufficient if Mr. Kant made the GSLV statement if Mr. Vajpayee was not permitted to do so during question time.

Sensing the mood, Mr. Vajpayee said Kant could make the statement as his voice was the voice of the entire House. ``Aapke awaaz ham sab ki awaaz hai,'' the Prime Minister said.

Lauding the efforts of the Indian space scientists in making the GSLV launch successful, Mr. Kant said they had done the entire nation proud.

Mr. Vajpayee termed the launch as a ``new landmark'' in India's space achievements. ``GSLV is the most technologically challenging mission undertaken so far by the ISRO,'' Vajpayee told the Lok Sabha amid thumping of desks.

He said the GSLV, once commissioned into regular service, would provide the country with the capability to launch INSAT-type of communication satellites into 36,000 km high orbit.

Lauding the efforts of ISRO, the Prime Minister said the successful accomplishment of GSLV mission was the culmination of a decade of efforts.

Leader of the opposition, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, said the successful launch of GSLV was the achievement of a comprehensive plan thrown up by previous governments, sparking mild protests from the treasury benches. She said it was during Indira Gandhi's time that the first satellite launch vehicle was put into operation which was followed by polar satellite launch vehicle. ``This programme stands fulfilled,'' she said while congratulating scientists and technicians who made this possible.

- PTI

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