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`Only restricted private entry in Defence production'

By Our Staff Reporter

GURUVAYUR FEB.1. The newly-appointed Union Minister of State for Defence, O. Rajagopal, has said that the Centre will permit only restricted private entry in the defence production sector of the country.

Talking to reporters informally after inaugurating a tourism complex at Guruvayur, the Minister said private entry would be restricted to those areas which were engaged in the production of articles that could be used for both defence and civilian purposes.

``Defence production is a highly sensitive area, and the production of arms and ammunitions will be done only in public sector,'' the Minister asserted. Asked about the impact of a possible war in the West Asia, the Minister pointed out that it could have several consequences, including in defence production. The country will have to gear up to meet any eventualities.

He said that in the Air show to be held next week in Bangalore about 38 countries had confirmed participation. Several leading dignitaries, including the French President would be visiting the show. India would be displaying items demonstrating the country's advances in the aviation sector. One of the notable items that would be on display at the exhibition would be the indigenously-designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) which had been modified to make it usable for civilian purposes.

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