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Expecting defence orders under Make in India premature: India

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By Sarwar Kashani
Thiruvidanthai (Tamil Nadu), April 11 (IANS) Expecting defence orders at this stage of the country’s still nascent “Make in India” policy is “a little premature”, top Defence Ministry official said on Wednesday at DefExpo 2018 here that showcases the country as a major defence manufacturing hub.

“The Strategic Partnership Policy is at a preliminary stage and we have to evaluate it and do consultations in terms of (transfer of) technology. To expect orders next year, I am afraid, is a little premature,” Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra said.

He was addressing a joint press conference with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Production Secretary Ajay Kumar, and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief S. Christopher on the first day of the April 11-14 defence expo on the East Coast Road near Tamil Nadu capital Chennai.

Mitra was replying to a question actually asked to Sitharaman whether the BJP-led NDA government that completes its term in about a year from now would be able to secure orders under the “Make in India” flagship programme to boost India’s manufacturing sector.

Ajay Kumar said the ministry was examining comments it had received from various stakeholders on the draft Defence Production Policy 2018 released on March 22 to give a thrust to development of design and production capabilities of the country’s defence sector.

“We are in the process of examining those comments and based on consultations with other ministries, the policy will be placed for final approval. We hope to see the final policy very soon. Consultation process is on… We should be able to do it very soon,” Kumar said.

With only 12 months left before the next Lok Sabha elections, strategic projects such as the Project 75-I submarines have been stuck in the absence a model policy.

Mitra also said the government was in the process of amending the Strategic Partnership Model policy announced in May 2017 for the Indian private sector.

The policy under the Defence Procurement Procedure seeks to identify a few Indian private companies as strategic partners, who would initially tie up with a few shortlisted foreign original equipment manufacturers to manufacture big-ticket military platforms.

In the initial phase, the selection of strategic partners would be confined to four segments — fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and armoured fighting vehicles (AFV)/ main battle tanks (MBT).

Secretary Mitra said India had moved with its first procurement under the strategic partnership model with the rollout of the first request for information (RFI) for procuring 110 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force last week.

“We have brought out the RFI (for the fighter jets). We have to evaluate it, and look at transfer of technology and Make in India aspects.”

Mitra dismissed a claim that RFI to purchase the fighter jets under a $15-billion deal was a repeat of the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) deal announced by the UPA government in 2008 which was eventually scrapped.

“I don’t think we need such apprehensions. It is a fresh RFI and we should look at it that way.”

(Sarwar Kashani can be contacted at [email protected])

–IANS
sar/nir

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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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