HAL had long back said No to Aerospace University: Naik

New Delhi: Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday how the idea of an Aerospace University floated by an expert group under the Chairmanship of B K Chaturvedi, the then member, Planning Commission was finally done away with. The said expert group constituted by the Government for restructuring and strengthening of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had recommended setting up of an Aerospace University. After that, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the establishment of Aerospace University was also prepared by a HAL-established Society named 'Society for HAL Aeronautics Research & Technologies Institute' and approved by HAL Board.

After deliberation in their 409th Board Meeting held on February 2, 2018, HAL had decided that they cannot consider setting up an Aerospace University, even in collaboration with the other Organisations like DRDO, Private Industries, etc.

Subsequently, the DPR was reviewed in this Ministry and it was suggested that for the formation of the Institute through an Act of Parliament, the structure should be in line with relevant Rules, Regulations & Procedures in vogue in other Central Universities/Institutes. HAL's role would be facilitating the establishment of the proposed University and providing secretarial help.

After deliberation in their 409th Board Meeting held on February 2, 2018, HAL had decided that they cannot consider setting up an Aerospace University, even in collaboration with the other Organisations like DRDO, Private Industries, etc.

The information came from the unstarred questions asked by BJP MPs Ravi Kishan and Ravindra Kushwaha in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.