new Delhi. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that no attempt was made to dilute Defense Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), but more than 80 per cent of the procurement has been done from DPSUs. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal said that the government is trying to strengthen the DPSUs by providing equity and assistance to make these DPSUs liability free.
Earlier, answering questions from members during the Question Hour in the Upper House, Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt said that the government is committed to strengthen the defense forces and this will happen when the country becomes self-reliant in technology.
He also said that the defense sector was opened to the private sector in 2015 and in the last seven years the government has given 353 licenses for manufacturing of defense equipment.
Bhatt said, “During 2001 to 2014, there was a total FDI of Rs 1,382 crore in the defense sector, which increased to Rs 3,343 crore in the last seven years, we are manufacturing everything under Atmanirbhar Bharat and we are procuring those components. Under FDI, we give to companies whose material or technology is not available with us.
He also said that orders have been given to DPSUs along with other PSUs manufacturing defense equipment. He said that this would create a competitive environment between them.
The Minister of State for Defense also said that during the financial year 2022-23, more than 68 per cent of defense procurement has been given to the domestic sector.
Replying to a question by Trinamool MP Dola Sen, Bhatt said there has been no reduction in the number of employees of companies under the Ordnance Factory Board, but the government has redeployed them for better coordination.
Bhatt further said, “Now companies manufacturing bullet proof jackets will be under one administrative unit.”
The Minister of State for Defense also informed the House that at present two defense corridors are functioning at Lucknow and Chennai, as and when required, these corridors will also be opened in other parts of the country.
—AnyTV News
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