Make in India will change fate of HAL: PM Modi

NASHIK: PM Narendra Modi on Monday said that defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will emerge stronger in the next decade with enhanced production capacity by two to three times.


"Congress is spreading rumours that our government is destroying HAL. In fact, it was Congress that stifled the growth of this company," said the PM at a rally in Pimplegaon Baswant, about 30km from Nashik city.

"Our government has kicked off initiatives like Make In India and defence corridor projects under which defence equipment is being made in India. We are now giving impetus to the growth of HAL," he added.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been accusing Modi of side-tracking HAL and ignoring the state-run PSU in the manufacture of Rafale fighter jets, and instead favouring Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence. Nashik houses HAL's aircraft manufacturing and overhaul divisions.

Modi attempted to woo farmers by assuring them of amendments that would help them gain from Pradhan Mantri Kisaan Nidhi (PMKISAN) scheme. "We have taken several steps to ease the lives of farmers. While we have brought in large numbers of developmental schemes for them, we have still more plans to ensure doubling their income. We are also thinking of reaching out to larger numbers of farmers by increasing the land holding structure," he said.

The Prime Minister said the government had changed the way the world looked at India. Under the Congress, India was prone to attacks by terrorists as the government was perceived to be weak, he said. "During Congress rule, terrorists would conduct blasts at their will. Since we came to power, things have changed and blasts have been confined to Jammu and Kashmir. After our (surgical) strikes, the terrorists have learnt a lesson and they will now think before acting in future."

Modi then flew to Nandurbar and addressed tribals while promising an

ethanol

plant in the area. As he arrived an hour late, several people were seen leaving while he was still speaking.