Decision of Indian defence forces to buy Indian equipment shows capacity of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat': PM
Gandhinagar (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the decision of the Indian defence forces to buy a majority of the equipment made in the country shows the capacity of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).
India has made its place despite the monopoly of a few manufacturing companies in the defence sector globally, he said.
This also symbolizes the rising confidence on defence materials made in India, he said after inaugurating the Defence Expo 2022, which is aimed at showcasing the country's defence manufacturing capabilities.
“The defence exports from India reached about Rs 13,000 crore in 2021-22 and we have set a target to reach Rs 40,000 crore in the coming times,” he said.
At the event, Modi also laid the foundation stone for a new airbase at Deesa in Banaskantha district of north Gujarat near the India-Pakistan border and said it will emerge as an effective centre for the country's security.
"The country has come a long way as earlier we used to release pigeons and now we release cheetahs," he said.
The PM also laid emphasis on the importance of maritime security and space technology. The maritime security has emerged as a global priority, he said, adding that India will also have to increase its preparations looking at the future opportunities in the space sector.
On the issue of maritime security, Modi talked about his vision of the 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR). India's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is inclusive, he said.
Today, from international security to global trade, maritime security has emerged as a global priority. The role of the merchant navy has also expanded in the era of globalization, he said.
The world's expectations from India have increased, and I assure the world community that India will fulfill them. Therefore, this Defence Expo is also a symbol of global trust towards India, he said.
Modi also talked about India's relationship with Africa and said it is based on the "time-tested trust which is further deepening and touching new dimensions with the passage of time.
Dwelling upon the old ties between Africa and Gujarat, he recalled that the first railway line in Africa had the participation of people from Kutch.
Modi said the defence forces will on Wednesday release a list of 101 more items that can only be procured in India. “With this, 411 defence-related goods can only be procured locally. This will give a major boost to the Indian defence industry, he said, adding that these decisions also show the potential of a self-reliant India,” he said.
He said the exports of Indian defence products have increased eight times in the last few years. “The world trusts Indian technology because our armed forces have proved their capabilities. We are exporting defence materials and equipment to more than 75 countries,” the Prime Minister said.
“Our policies, reforms and the ease of doing business have played a big role in reaching this point. India has earmarked 68 per cent of its defence budget for Indian companies. It's a big decision, and has been made possible because of the progressive leadership of the Indian Armed Forces,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the decision of the Indian defence forces to buy a majority of the equipment made in the country shows the capacity of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and also symbolizes the rising confidence on defence materials made in India. “More than 400 equipment will be bought only under Make in India (initiative). Imagine such a huge budget will strengthen the pillars of Indian companies,” Modi added.
Talking about the future opportunities in space, Modi said India will have to increase its preparations.
“Our defence forces will have to find new innovation opportunities,” he said, adding that space technology is also setting up a new definition of India's generous thinking by sharing the benefits with other countries.
“Many small African countries are benefiting from this. There are more than 60 developing countries with which India is sharing its space science,” he said.
By next year, India will share real-time access of Indian satellite data with 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. “Even developed European and American countries are using our satellite data,” he said.
India's youth will realize the possibilities related to the space sector in a timely manner and with better quality taking inspiration from (late space scientist) Dr Vikram Sarabhai. The youth will give a new energy to our commitment, he said.
Modi also said that after his government came to power, they decided to set up an operational base in Deesa. “This expectation of our forces is being fulfilled today. This region will now become an effective centre for the country's security,” he added.
“The international border is just 130 km away. If our forces, especially the Air Force, will be in Deesa, we shall be able to respond in a much better way to any challenge on the western border,” he said.
Modi said for this airfield, Gujarat had given land way back in 2000, and as the then chief minister he tried his best for its construction and explained this to the then central government about its importance. “But nothing happened for 14 years,” he said.
“So many question marks were put on files that it took time to put things into the right perspective even after I went there (at the Centre). After we formed the government, we decided to make an operational base in Deesa and the expectations of our forces are being met today,” he said.
Modi also said this is an unprecedented Defence Expo as it is for the first time that only Indian companies are participating in it. “There are more than 1,300 exhibitors which include the Indian defence industry, some joint ventures associated with it, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and more than 100 Start-ups,” he said.
He said Gujarat's identity as a developed state and its industrial capabilities will brighten with the DefExpo being held in the state.
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4% quota for Muslim contractors: BJP to challenge K'taka's 'unconstitutional move' in court
New Delhi/Bengaluru, Mar 17 (PTI): The BJP on Monday termed the Karnataka government’s proposal to provide four per cent reservation to Muslims in government contracts an "unconstitutional misadventure" and said it will oppose the move at all levels, including challenging it in court, until it is rolled back.
The ruling Congress in Karnataka and the BJP hit out at each other over the issue in the Assembly.
Earlier on Friday, the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act, reserving four per cent of contracts for Muslims in civil works valued up to Rs two crore and goods/services contracts up to Rs one crore.
"The BJP firmly opposes the proposed unconstitutional move and demands that the Siddaramaiah government immediately roll it back," BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who represents the Bangalore South Lok Sabha seat, told a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
He alleged that the Siddaramaiah-led government’s decision was a "calculated move" to appease Muslims, "at the direction and patronage of the Congress top leadership, particularly Rahul Gandhi."
"This patently unconstitutional and prima facie illegal act will be challenged in court. The BJP will fight against the move both inside the Assembly and on the streets. We will also raise the issue in Parliament and protest outside it," Surya said.
The BJP MP said that the Karnataka government’s move is a threat to national integrity, unity, and sovereignty.
"We will fight and oppose this in the courtroom. We will take the fight to the people of Karnataka. Until this unconstitutional move is rolled back, the BJP’s fight will continue," he added.
Meanwhile, in the Karnataka Assembly, the ruling Congress and the BJP once again sparred on Monday over the budgetary provision of four per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts.
The Congress rejected the BJP’s allegation that religion-based reservation is "against constitutional provisions."
Defending the reservation, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists are citizens of this country.
"We have concerns for minorities and backward communities. When the BJP says it wants to take everyone along, let it appoint Christian and Muslim ministers. Only then does BJP state president B Y Vijayendra have the right to speak about equality. Let him read the state anthem written by Kuvempu—then he will understand what makes Karnataka a peaceful garden," Shivakumar told reporters.
Hitting back at Shivakumar, Vijayendra said that it was the BJP government, not the Congress, that had appointed Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as the President of India.
"We appointed Najma Heptulla, Justice Abdul Nazeer, and Arif Mohammed Khan as governors. Musician Ustad Bismillah Khan was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna by the BJP government," Vijayendra told reporters.
According to him, Congress's appeasement politics is not new.
He questioned the Congress party’s concern for Dalits, asking where it was when its MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy’s house was "torched by Muslim hooligans".
The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, claimed that several Supreme Court judgments have stated that there is no provision in the Constitution for religion-based reservations.
"Yet, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wore a ‘topi’ (skull cap), organised Tipu Jayanti, and introduced Shaadi Bhagya (launched in 2013, it provides financial assistance to economically backward minority women). He gave grants to Muslims beyond what they had asked for. Now, by offering four per cent reservation in contracts to Muslims, the Congress government has made an assault on Hindus," he alleged.
Ashoka argued that there had never been a religion-based contract system in Karnataka, but the government had introduced one, which could lead to conflicts between communities.
In the Karnataka Legislative Council, Leader of the Opposition, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy raised the issue.
He said that religion-based reservation is "not allowed under the Constitution."
"You have granted four per cent reservation to Muslims in contracts. We oppose religion-based reservations. I urge the government through you not to implement it," he stated.
Countering him, Congress MLA B K Hariprasad asserted that the reservation aligns with constitutional provisions.
