DRDO-Patanjali deal to fetch business for Leh people: Parrikar

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said the DRDO's transfer of technology deal with yoga guru Ramdev's trust will fetch Rs 50 crore revenue for the people of Leh region.

The premier defence research institute recently signed a TOT deal with Patanjali Ayurveda Limited for manufacturing and marketing of products made out of berries from Leh region.

"People do not understand issues. They just keep talking. When one partners with Ramdev, people see saffron and the dialogue veers in that direction without understanding the issue," Parrikar said addressing a public function here last evening.

He said the Patanjali Yogpeeth has plans spread over five years to manufacture Leh berry-based products worth Rs 50-60 crore annually and sell it across India.

"If they market it, the local people will get a business of Rs 50 crore...If people who are cut off (from the mainland) because of snow for six months benefit from this, they will continue to progress with the country," Parrikar said.

The Defence Minister said that Leh berries are "extremely nutritious and contain vital beneficial elements."

"We can use it instead of fish oil. It is better than fish oil for one's health. The DRDO has found this in research," he said.