Will take steps to encourage private sector in defence: Manohar Parrikar

 Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said the ministry would be taking pro-active measures to encourage private players in defence sector in tune with the Prime Minister's vision of "Make in India".

"Government is absolutely committed to working on 'Make In India' to ensure employment opportunities and creating growth story of India with a combined effort with the industry," he said while addressing a seminar on "Make in India for Defence" organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Pune on Saturday.

The seminar was focused on the need of indigenisation and evolving models to address critical areas through defence cooperation. Parrikar said honest efforts were being made to fulfil Prime Minister's vision of 'Make in India'.

He said the new Land Acquisition Bill is aimed at boosting development in the country. Parrikar also attended a book release function at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics in the city.

When asked if the "handlers" of the Pakistani boat that was blown up on December 31 in Arabian sea and the one seized with heroin on April 20 off Porbandar coast were the same, Parrikar said, "This boat had drugs but they did not resist. There is a difference between the two incidents. We do not know whether the handlers were the same". He also visited 512 Army base workshop at Khadki near here, engaged in overhaul of fighting vehicles of the East European origin.