PM will decide on GoM report: Fernandes

NEW DELHI, FEB. 27. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, would study and consider the recommendations made by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on security which submitted its report to him last evening, the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, said today.

However, ``there are some recommendations which could be implemented immediately,`` fernandes told reporters but did not elaborate when asked about the recommendations of the Gom, of which he was a member.

Asked when the Cabinet would take up the report, he said ``as the Prime Minister had set up the GoM and we have submitted our report to him, it is for him to decide. Everything is in his hands.'' To questions on whether suggestions were made regarding the nuclear command and control structure or on the concept of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Mr. Fernandes said, ``it is a top secret report and I cannot disclose its contents''.

Role for private sector

Speaking at a function where he gave away national awards for excellence in indigenisation of defence items, Mr. Fernandes asked the private sector to enhance its participation in defence production saying it was painful to note that it took the economic sanctions to bring out the enormous talent and capabilities in this field from within.

``It was only when the sanctions (imposed by several developed nations in the wake of Pokhran-II nuclear tests) were imposed that we took up the challenge to indigenise many defence items whose supply was hit,'' he said in a hard-hitting speech.

He said he did not agree with the earlier perception that anything connected with defence production was a secret. ``How can a foreign equipment remain a secret when its manufacturer is selling it to different countries?... If the private sector can produce defence equipment, why stop them from doing so?''

He said a few days ago he convened meetings with industry chambers seeking their cooperation in manufacture of arms and ammunition. ``I have tried to change the norms and traditions of defence production to enhance private sector participation.''

- PTI

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