Defence Minister George Fernandes blamed the Defence Public Sector Undertakings officials for a lack-lustre performance in Defence exports this year. He was speaking at a seminar-cum-award function organised to applaud the ‘‘achievements’’ of PSU officials. Fernandes said the officials notched up a ‘‘meagre 100-200 crore’’ in exports, which is nowhere near the 1000 crore targeted by the Defence Ministry. ‘‘Sometimes I feel that being assured of orders we leave very little for PSUs,’’ he said.Two Defence scientists V. Sridevi and Shibi Verghese were among 32 researchers, engineers and technicians honoured by Fernandes for their contribution to Defence research and production.
