TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that there is no question of weakening state-owned companies operating in the defence sector and asserted that the government is taking all steps to strengthen them with equity support, clearing liabilities besides giving high-level orders.
Replying to a query during the Question Hour in the Upper House, the Defence Minister said, “Our government is strengthening all DPSUs (Defence Public Sector Undertakings) with equity support. We are also clearing their committed liabilities so that our DPSUs do not weaken in any manner.”
That apart, the government is providing high level orders to DPSUs. “As per my knowledge, about 80 per cent orders are given to DPSUs even today. There is no question of weakening the DPSUs,” he added. Noting that the defence sector is driven by high-end technology and innovation, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhat said production orders are given to DPSUs too, even as FDI has been allowed in areas where the country does not have expertise and capacity.
The government is taking steps to make the country self-reliant in defence sector. Therefore, the government has split the Ordnance Factory Board into seven new public sector units, he said.