Structures for DefExpo will be temporary in nature: Ministry

The Defence Ministry has said that all structures for the upcoming DefExpo to be held in Goa will be temporary in nature.
"The 'DefExpo' in Goa is one time event with temporary structures to be removed on completion of the event," Ashok Kumar Gupta, Secretary (Defence Production) has said in a letter, dated December 2, 2015, addressed to Goa Chief Secretary R K Srivastava.
The Goa government has given in-principle approval for allotment of land for organising DefExpo in the state's South district.
Some local groups have opposed DefExpo scheduled in March this year claiming it (DefExpo) as a land grab plan by the Defence Ministry.

"Some media reports have come to the notice of this department wherein certain groups have eased their concerns about the allotment of land for holding DefExpo and Aero Show in Goa," reads the letter, which was made available to the press today.
"In this regard, I would like to mention that since significant preparations have already started and Indian and global defence industry have also been informed about the venue, it is proposed to hold DefExpo in March 2016 in Goa as planned," Gupta was quoted as saying in the letter.

He said DefExpo has been misrepresented in certain quarters to create an impression that the land is being given to Ministry of Defence on permanent basis.

"The proposal for DefExpo is an event based proposal. The event will be for four days and all structures shall be temporary in nature. The event will bring an immense benefit to the state in terms of large number of visitors including foreigners visiting here."
"The confusion thathas been created due to mixing up of DefExpo with the proposal of setting up a permanent exhibition centre," the secretary said.
Gupta said the event will also be significant for state's economy and for locals residing in nearby areas.
"With regards to allotment of land, this is a different proposition and there can be an arrangement for creating permanent exhibition ground through memorandum of understanding between Goa government of Ministry of Defence," he said.

The Defence Ministry has said holding of DefExpo in March 2016 in Goa may not be linked to the allotment of land for development of permanent exhibition venue and the issue of permanent allotment of land for future DefExpo can be mutually discussed with Goa government separately.