Dr B Thomas (Special correspondent)
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has called upon the entrepreneurs in the Electronics and R&D sector to use Karnataka as a springboard to fly high and take the state to a higher level.
The Chief Minister was addressing the ’11th Strategic Electronics Summit(SES 2022)-Defence & Aerospace’organised by the Electronic Industries Association of India.
Karnataka is in the forefront in R&D with over 400 R & D centers of international fame having their presence in Bengaluru,more than any other city in the world can boast of.
About 400 of the 500 Fortune Companies have their base here.If it is about electronics,then it has to be in Bengaluru,nowhere else.Bengaluru is like a springboard to fly high in this sector, Bommai said.
CM’s dream of creative society
“We are the first state to have an exclusive Aerospace and Defence R & D policy.We have separate Semiconductor and Renewable Energy policy too.
The new R & D policy would be approved in the next cabinet meeting.We want to encourage Research and innovation from a Garage level to higher institutions level.
We will help them, incentivise them. I want a very creative society in my state.My dream of Karnataka is not just about a livelihood producing state,I want my state to produce a good life for the future through R & D.
About 2000 acres of land has been reserved for Defence production and another 1000 acres for Defence and Aerospace manufacturing units.
We are ready to extend all the help and cooperation for industrialists to set up their units here,” Bommai said.
‘Make in India’ to meet Defence needs
The defence manufacturing scenario has changed drastically in the last one decade, Bommai said and appreciated the role being played by DRDO in making India ‘Atma Nirbhar’ in Defence production.
In the last five years about 60 % of imports in defence equipment has been turned into ‘Made in India’. Many products are even being exported.
“We should encourage all the research being undertaken by the DRDO as many defence related technologies have a huge benefit in the civilian life of the common man as well.
India can attain complete Atma Nirbhar in the next 10 years.It is the dream of our Prime Minister. Our government is marching ahead to make a significant contribution in making it a reality,” Bommai said.
