Give incentives to manufacturers of aircraft, helicopters to set up facilities in K'taka: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to consider and give incentives to manufacturers of aircraft and helicopters to set up their manufacturing facilities in the state and the country.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the 15th edition of Aero India event here.
"Karnataka plays a crucial role in India's aerospace sector, contributing 67 percent of the country's aircraft and helicopter manufacturing for defence services and 65 percent of India's aerospace-related exports," Shivakumar said.
He said that despite these impressive figures, there is a significant gap in the industry.
"While aircraft servicing and repair are well-established in India, the manufacturing of aircraft and helicopters is not yet taking place in India. Most of the aircraft and helicopters used by the country are still purchased from other nations," he said.
Noting that Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, boasts some of the best talent in the aerospace industry, making it an ideal location to establish aircraft and helicopter manufacturing facilities, the Deputy CM said, "By offering incentives to manufacturers, we could retain this talent within India, prevent the brain drain."
"Hence I appeal to the Honourable Defence Minister to consider and give incentives to Manufacturers of aircraft and helicopters to set up their manufacturing facilities in Karnataka and India," he added.
The Aero India, considered Asia's biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, was inaugurated by Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station here.
Noting that Bengaluru is the only city in the world to have both commercial and defence airports operating from the same strip, a testament to the city's strategic importance in national and international aviation, Shivakumar said, "Innovation takes flight right here in Bengaluru."
Bengaluru is India's aerospace capital, home to over 60 percent of the country's aerospace manufacturing and defence research, he said, over 1,50,000 people work in Bengaluru's aerospace sector, making the city a global leader in aviation and defence technology.
Pointing out that Bengaluru is among top 3 global aerospace cities in attracting foreign investments, the Deputy CM said, the Government of Karnataka is also developing aerospace and defence hubs across the state -- Bengaluru, Belagavi, Mysuru, Tumakuru and Chamarajanagara.
Bengaluru is also a pioneer in drone technology and unmanned aerial systems, which are changing both commercial and defense sectors, he added.
Shivakumar, also highlighted that Karnataka was the first state to announce an aerospace policy in 2013. "Our state has also set up a dedicated aerospace park in 1,000 acres near Devanahalli for aerospace companies."
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TN seeks duty-free cotton imports to support textile sector: CM Vijay writes to PM
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the import duty on cotton.
In his first letter to Modi after taking over as chief minister of the state, he said Tamil Nadu is the country’s largest textile and apparel exporting state.
Lakhs of people are dependent on this sector for both direct and indirect employment, especially women from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, Vijay pointed out.
Stating that the industry is facing a severe crisis due to an increase in cotton prices and consequently yarn prices, he said, “I understand this is caused primarily due to a shortage in cotton production and increased trading activity in the country.”
Pointing out that the price of cotton has increased from Rs 54,700 to Rs 67,700 per candy—an increase of 25 per cent over the last two months—while yarn prices have increased from Rs 301 to Rs 330 per kg, he said, “In this situation, the continued supply of raw material can be ensured only through imports.”
However, there is an import duty of 11 per cent on cotton, he said, adding that in such a situation, permitting duty-free cotton imports will help the industry meet increasing export commitments and remain globally competitive.
Vijay said that after agriculture, the textile and apparel sector is one of the largest employment-generating sectors.
“There is a significant responsibility on the government to safeguard the employment of lakhs of people and ensure the sustainability of the textile value chain," he said.
“Hence, I request your intervention to remove the import duty on cotton from the existing 11 per cent to 0 per cent to ensure the availability of raw material. This measure will enable the textile and apparel industry to remain globally competitive, enhance exports, and protect jobs,” he added.
