Keltron units await defence ministry nod
Wednesday, 12 January 2005, 20:30 IST
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Keltron, India's first state-owned electronics company set up in 1973 in Kerala, is awaiting the defence ministry's nod to convert two of its units into defence production ones. Keltron managing director V. Ramkumar told IANS: "Several rounds of talks have been going on and a positive signal from the defence ministry came a month back when they began inquiring about the financial position of these two units." Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has impressed on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on the urgent need for takeover of two of Keltron's units. The units supply eco-sounders, underwater telephones and electromagnetic log and are the only manufacturers of process-based ground mines (PBGM) in the country. The two units - the Karakulam unit in Thiruvananthapuram and the Aroor unit in Alappuzha - have supplied materials to the Indian Navy. "On Jan 20 we are giving the 101st PBGM to the Indian Navy. We have also sought the help of legislators to raise this issue. We are hopeful things would soon be bright and the two units are converted as defence production units," said Ramkumar. With no budgetary support from the Kerala government, Keltron is expecting to close the current fiscal with a total turnover of 1 billion ($22 million), up from 850 million in the previous fiscal.
Source: IANS
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