The ‘Make in India’ campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the new slogan of ‘Make in India in defence manufacturing’ at the Aero India show here on Wednesday were welcomed by the private sector engaged in the defence and aerospace industry.
However, the long time-consuming processes and government interferences have come under criticism from the sector.
Need for changeSpeaking at the CEO conference on the theme ‘Make India in defence manufacturing’ at Aero India, Reliance ADA Group Chairman Anil Ambani said, “The long shadow of three Cs — the CBI, CVC and CAG — is leading to a lack of initiative and decision making at all levels of the government. This needs to be changed, and we need to have two new Cs added — courage and conviction.”
Mr. Ambani’s observations comes at a time when the company is planning to focus more on the defence sector to grab a sizable share of the $100-billion worth of market opportunities.
“The modernisation of armed forces cannot be held hostage to indecision and delay. We need to accord the infrastructure industry status to defence production,” he added.
Replying to Mr. Ambani, Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was present at the conference, said: “One thing which can get all three Cs neutralised. That is if we control corruption. It can actually control all the three. Transparency in policy and approach can ensure that these three Cs need not be feared.”
Assuring government support for private players, he said, “I want to build trust, which is lacking for quite sometime. Make in India policy will be a comprehensive one seeking an expansion of more number of products being produced in the country.”
The corporate leaders who were present at the event also sought collaboration between the private sector and defence public sector units to ensure that the Make in India slogan becomes a reality.
