VASCO
Union Minister of Defence for State Shripad Naik on Saturday said the joint venture between an international company Saffron and Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would soon resume work on the unit at Valpoi.
Speaking to reporters during an inspection of a bullets manufacturing company “Hughes Precision” at Verna IDC, Naik said all defence related units setting up units in Goa would have to provide 80% jobs to Goans.
“It is a matter of pride that “Hughes Precision” is the first bullet manufacturing plant to be set up in Goa after approvals from Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It will would cater to needs of defence.”
“Such units are the need of the hour as the initiative by PM Narendra Modi encourages that productions for the defence should be manufactured in India under ‘Make in India’ scheme.”
“The Hughes Precision company is already functioning and will soon produce bullets on a larger scale as a place to store gunpowder for the bullets has been taken up in Betul.”
“We want such non-pollution companies in Goa and they have already assured us that 80% of jobs will be given to Goans. While we welcome them to Goa, we also assure them of our continuous support,” said Naik.
Naik said a defence PSU like Goa Shipyard Limited has already been executing defence works worth hundreds of crores of rupees, while another such defence unit would soon open up in Valpoi.
“Former defence minister late Manohar Parrikar had planned a project to make helicopter spares and to set up the unit at Valpoi.”
“The unit is a joint collaboration between an international French company Saffron and a Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Though work had begun initially, it stopped due to the Covid pandemic. We have now taken steps and had meetings so that the unit is set up at Valpoi sometime soon.”
“A few days ago, I had called the HAL chairman for a meeting to Goa and he showed readiness. The Saffron company will soon be ready to go ahead with the project and very soon we will have a company making helicopter spares in Valpoi.”
“We also appeal to other industries to set up units in Goa so that the problem of unemployment is resolved,” said Naik.
