"Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, Is Committed to Safeguarding Local Resources: Shares Views on Transferring HAL from Bengaluru to Andhra Pradesh"
Karnataka Government Vows to Protect Hindustan Aeronautics Limited from Potential Relocation
In a clear show of opposition, the Karnataka government has indicated that it will do whatever it takes to safeguard the assets of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the premier defence manufacturing industry based in Bengaluru. This assertion came in response to rumors of the Centre planning to relocate the HAL to Andhra Pradesh.
D.K. Shivakumar, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister, addressed the issue while speaking to reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office. He firmly stated that HAL was not established by any BJP government, but rather was set up by the late Jawaharlal Nehru in Bengaluru due to its abundant technical manpower.
Shivakumar made it clear that he would not interfere in the political request made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to the Centre for relocating HAL. However, he emphasized the state's commitment to protecting its assets, stating, "We have given sufficient land to HAL and provided land to set up a helicopter unit in Tumakuru for the HAL. They are free to set up anything new in Andhra Pradesh, we are not going to object to it. But our government will do whatever it takes to protect our state's assets."
Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Livelihood, and District In-charge Minister for Raichur, shared similar sentiments. He expressed firm opposition to any proposal to relocate HAL to Andhra Pradesh, asserting, "Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the pride of our state. We will not accept any proposal to relocate it to Andhra Pradesh."
The potential relocation of HAL to Andhra Pradesh emerged amid political tensions, following media reports that CM Chandrababu Naidu had requested the Centre to consider moving HAL's operations during a NITI Aayog meeting. However, Chandrababu Naidu later clarified that he did not ask for HAL's relocation but expressed an interest in attracting new defense investments and possibly setting up new manufacturing units in Andhra Pradesh.
While the Centre has not officially announced any plans to relocate HAL, the political disagreement between the Congress-ruled Karnataka and the TDP-BJP alliance-ruled Andhra Pradesh governments persists. Karnataka has strongly opposed the idea of relocating HAL, emphasizing its deep-rooted legacy in Bengaluru since 1940. The state has made it clear that any new facilities should be distinct and separate if Andhra Pradesh wants to develop aerospace capabilities.
In the meantime, Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil is expected to visit Delhi and meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to urge the Centre to grant the defense corridor to Karnataka, arguing that the state rightfully deserves it.
The Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister, M.B. Patil, plans to visit Delhi to advocate for the defense corridor in Karnataka, asserting the state's rightful claim to the coveted development.
Meanwhile, the ongoing political disagreement between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh pertains not only to the potential relocation of HAL but also the establishment of new defense manufacturing units.
In the realm of policy-and-legislation, news surrounding the defense sector and inter-state politics reveals a complex scenario, where education, business, and general-news are all intertwined, adding to the essence of politics in shaping the overall news landscape.
