CITU says no to pvt players

NEW DELHI: Left parties, particularly the CPI (M), is set on opposing the proposed opening of the defence industry to private companies as the move, according to the party, would put the country’s security at peril.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) in collaboration with trade and defence employees associations is planning to launch a nation-wide campaign against the UPA government’s move.

As a result, the defence ministry was forced to keep on hold conferment of Raksha Udyog Ratnas (RUR) status to 14 private companies.

The Left in league with the newly constituted trade union forum for self-reliance in defence, and defence employees associations, had earlier opposed the implementation of Kelkar Committee recommendations

The Kelkar panel had recommended allowing the private sector, both domestic and foreign, to enter defence production. The leaders of the Left-led forum had however sought a halt on its implementation last May.

“The grant of RURs and opening of defence sector is just a charade to open doors to foreign equity in India’s vital defence sector. The move would imperil the country’s security. We will never allow this,” said Tapan Sen, secretary of CITU.

Talking to DNA, Bharat Verma, editor, Indian Defence Review, said “If India has to move towards self-sufficiency in production of armaments it needs to encourage private sector and joint ventures with foreign collaboration.”