Coimbatore, Jan 7: The Defence Ministry has released Rs 20 crore to Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) here to set up a Defence Innovation Centre, to help small industries manufacture components for the defence sector.

After discussing the issue with CODISSIA office-bearers,  Defence Minister, Nirmala Seetharaman said small units that can manufacture components required for the sector would be identified by the association.CODISSIA president Sundaram said the city would have an exclusive defence park in three years by identifying small units and starting production.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration minister SP Velumani submitted a memorandum seeking a defence park to manufacture and supply components to the sector. He presented this while receiving her at the airport.

The Defence Ministry had identified many Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, which could meet the huge requirements of the sector, Nirmala said, adding that being an industrial hub Coimbatore had the potential to supply components.

On Okchi cyclone, Nirmala said the Government had taken all possible steps to rescue the fishermen from November 30 by sending a plane and updated the developments on the twitter handle and search continued till December 26.On missing fishermen, she said search was on and she would discuss the matter to sort out the issue with Home Ministry soon.