Talks on to make Keltec Defence ministry unit

It seems like good times are setting in at Kerala Hi-tech Industries(Keltec), the Thiruvananthapuram-based state PSU, with the company likely to be brought under the defence ministry. Discussions in this regard are fast progressing.

Defence Minister A K Antony, who visited Keltec here, said the state PSU would see further development when it comes under the direct control of his ministry.

The second round of talks to take the plans forward have already been kicked off and an agreement between the defence ministry and Keltec would soon be a reality.

There still exist a few more hitches that are to be addressed, however, the talks are progressing fast to find means so that Keltec moves closer to the Defence Ministry.

Antony, during his visit, complimented the quality of the products rolled out and said that Keltec has the potential to reap better benefits if the same quality is maintained in future too.

The state PSU is into the manufacture of sophisticated hardware products used in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Kerala minister for industries Elamaram Karim, who accompanied the defence minister, said the state government had already urged the Centre to make Keltec a unit of the Union defence ministry. He added that Kerala was hopeful of entering into a final agreement soon.

Antony also said the Centre's decision to provide 30 per cent weightage to local industries in defence procurement would benefit the private, public and small-scale sector of the state in a big way.

Meanwhile, Antony's visit to Keltec also saw representatives of all the trade unions come together.

This prompted the defence Minister to shower laurels on the gesture saying that such a gathering would prove to be a model for others and will help the overall development of Kerala.

He added that industrial sector would see a growth and also provide employment to thousands if all those involved in the industrial operations come together.