What's new

Centre Plans Defence Unit in Odisha, May Rope in Tatas: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

PARIKRAMA

SENIOR MEMBER
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
4,871
Reaction score
185
Country
India
Location
India
Centre Plans Defence Unit in Odisha, May Rope in Tatas: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
Press Trust of India |

Bhubaneswar: A major defence production unit has been proposed in Gopalpur in Odisha, where Tata group can partner the state and the central governments, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.

He also proposed developing Odisha as a future oil and gas hub of eastern India and said that about Rs 1 lakh crore is expected to be invested in the hydro-carbon sector in the state in 5-7 years.

"Steps have been initiated for establishment of a defence manufacturing unit at Gopalpur in Ganjam district as part of the 'Make in India' drive," the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas told reporters here.

Tata group has 3,000 acres of land at Gopalpur and the company has been asked to be a partner in the proposed venture which can come up in their area, Pradhan said.

The project is at a conceptual stage and can be developed jointly by Tata, Odisha government and the Centre, he added.

The Modi government also plans to set up an international standard skill development centre of excellence in Bhubaneswar to provide training in hydro-carbon sector, he added.


There is a requirement of 136 skills in the hydrocarbon sector starting from exploration to delivery point, Pradhan said, adding that such a skill development centre has huge potential to generate revenue and skilled manpower.

While Indian Oil's refinery at Paradip is on the verge of completion, a petrochemical complex is also coming up at the port town, he said. The work for the first project of the petrochemical complex, a polypropylene unit, has also begun.

A strategic reserve of oil will soon come up in Odisha which is being developed at Chandikhole in Jajpur district, Pradhan said, adding that several important pipeline projects are also being taken up through the state.

There is also a proposal for takeover of Kalinga Iron Works at Badbil by SAIL, he said.

On disinvestment of aluminium major NALCO, he said no PSU will be allowed to move out of the ownership of the central government despite moves to offload 5-10 per cent stakes in some companies including Nalco.

Stating that huge investments were required for strengthening infrastructure and rural development, he said government can raise funds by divesting small portion of its stakes in PSUs.

The minister also described as unfounded the allegation that there was a plan to shift the engine division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited from Sunabeda in Koraput district.

Highlighting the achievements of BJP-led NDA government in its first year in office, Pradhan said in the very first Cabinet meeting it took concrete decision for the retrieval of black money stashed abroad and a special investigation team (SIT) was formed for the purpose.

Stating that the NDA government successfully rejuvenated the economy, he said inflation which was soaring during UPA rule was brought under control, while steps were taken for generation of employment.

Asserting that auction of coal mines was being done in a transparent manner, Pradhan said that over Rs 3 lakh crore was raised from auction of only 30 mines.

Maintaining that India's image abroad has got a boost, he said our foreign policy has moved from non-alignment to multi-alignment as India now succeeded in strengthening its ties with many countries.

Stating that a host of social security programmes have been launched, he said around Rs 15,000 crore has been deposited in some 15 crore bank accounts opened through the prime minister's Jan Dhan scheme.

Similarly, over 10 crore people have been covered under two major insurance schemes launched by the prime minister recently, he said.

Asked whether the proposed ESIC medical college project has been dropped, Pradhan said the proposal has only been put on hold and not scrapped.

Centre Plans Defence Unit in Odisha, May Rope in Tatas: Dharmendra Pradhan - NDTVProfit.com
 

Pakistan Defence Latest Posts

Military Forum Latest Posts

Back
Top Bottom