The government has extended the validity of industrial licence for defence sector for the second time this year, increasing it to 15 years with provision for a further extension of three years to promote defence manufacturing and ease of doing business. In April, the government had increased the validity of the licence to seven years, with provision for extending it up to 10 years. “This is being done as a measure to further promote ease of doing business, in view of the long gestation period of defence contracts to mature,“ the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) said in a press note. In case a licence has already expired the licensee will have to apply for a fresh licence, the note said. Stepping up defence production in India to make do with minimum imports is a crucial element of the Narendra Modi government's `Make in India' campaign. Since assuming office in May last year, the government has in a series of measures aimed at freeing up the sect