No Shifting of HAL Units from Karnataka: Dy CM

BENGALURU: Regarding a demand from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to the Union Government to shift Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from its base in Karnataka, Bengaluru incharge and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday asserted “No units of HAL will be allowed to shift out of Karnataka which have been functioning well.”

Making his stand clear not to allow shifting of HAL units from Karnataka, Shivakumar stated to the demand of Andhra Chief Minister, “If they wish, let them have new units of HAL (in their State).” “We don’t want to interfere in their way,” DyCM said to the AP CM’s wish.

Talking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar wanted Lok Sabha members of the State and Central Ministers from Karnataka to comment on the demand from Andhra Pradesh. When his attention was drawn to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister offering 10,000 acres of HAL in his State close to Bengaluru, Shivakumar said “We have all those lands as well.”

Pointing at land allotted to HAL’s helicopter unit in Tumakuru, Shivakumar said “We will give lands for HAL’s expansion plans. What is the issue?.”

He termed HAL as ‘pride of Karnataka’ and stated HAL was given to Bengaluru by late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. “We have air bases in Bidar and Bengaluru. Bengaluru has two airports at Yelahanka and another at HAL airport in Bengaluru city. No question of shifting,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.