Centre plans defence unit in Odisha, may rope in Tatas:Pradhan

A major defence production unit has been proposed in Gopalpur, Odisha, which can have the Tata group as a partner along with the state and the central governments, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.
"Steps have been initiated for establishment of a defence manufacturing unit at Gopalpur in Ganjam district as part of 'Make in India' drive," the Petroleum Minister told reporters here.
Stating that the Tata group has been in possession of 3,000 acres of land at Gopalpur, Pradhan said the company officials have been asked to be a partner in the proposed venture which can come up in their area.

The project, which is at a conceptual stage, can be developed jointly by Tata group, the Odisha government and the Centre, Pradhan said.
He also said Odisha can be a future oil and gas hub of eastern India as about Rs 1 lakh crore is expected to be invested in the hydro-carbon sector in the state in 5-7 years, he said.
The Narendra Modi government also plans to set up an international standard skill development centre of excellence in Bhubaneswar to provide training in hydro-carbon sector, he added.

There is a requirement of 136 skills in the hydrocarbon sector starting from exploration to delivery point, Pradhan said, adding that such a skill development centre has huge potential to generate revenue and skilled manpower.

While Indian Oil Corporation Ltd's (IOCL) refinery at Paradip is on the verge of completion, a petrochemical complex is also coming up at the port town, he said, adding that the work for the first project of the petrochemical complex, a polypropylene unit, has already started.
A strategic reserve of oil will soon come up in Odisha which is being developed at Chandikhole in Jajpur district, Pradhan said, adding that several important pipeline projects are also being taken up through the state.
There is also a proposal for take over of Kalinga Iron Works at Badbil by SAIL, he said.

On disinvestment of aluminium major NALCO, he said no PSU will be allowed to move out of the ownership of the central government despite moves to offload 5 to 10 per cent stakes in some companies including Nalco.
Stating that huge investments were required for strengthening infrastructure and rural development, he said government can raise funds by divesting small portion of its stakes in PSUs.
The minister also described as unfounded the allegation that there was a plan to shift the engine division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited from Sunabeda in Koraput district.