'Guj to encourage manufacturing of defence equipment'

Vadodara: Gujarat government would encourage industries engaged in manufacturing defence equipment, Chief Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

"We want Gujarat to take lead in making country self sufficient in defence equipment manufacturing as currently even trucks needed for the Army are imported," Modi said.

He said Gujarat would encourage setting up of units manufacturing defence equipment and would soon announce a policy to that effect.

Referring to the textile policy announced by the state recently, Modi said, "the new textile policy will ensure Gujarat's cotton growers get better price realisation in national and international markets, guarding them from the Centre's anti-farmers and anti-export policies."

Modi also said that the DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor) passing through Gujarat would open doors for huge development in the state.