Article Posted on : - Jan 28, 2016

NEW DELHI (PTI): Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has asked the defence PSUs and ordinance factories to "stop thinking like a government department" if they are to compete with private companies for 'Make in India' projects.

Parrikar, who was presenting the 'Raksha Mantri's Awards for Excellence 2012-13 and 2013-14' in New Delhi on Wednesday, said he will include private companies for the awards from next year lest it become a "decorative PR exercise".

"It is not possible to eliminate imports totally. The present government is concentrating on efforts to indigenise," he said.

Defence public sector undertakings and ordinance factories will have to gear up and contend with private players, he said, adding that, for this, they have to become more efficient.

"I can say that the mindset has not totally changed to the current scenario. Most defence PSUs still act as if they are government departments," Parrikar said.

Flagship defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) won the Raksha Mantri's Award for Excellence in Performance, Innovation and Indigenisation.

The award for Excellence in Performance under institutional category for the year 2012-13 was given to HAL.

The award for excellence in the innovation category for 2012-13 was jointly presented to Transport Aircraft Division, HAL, Kanpur, and Avionics Division of HAL, Korwa.