In order to promote entrepreneurship among retired defence personnel, the Maharashtra State Ex-Servicemen Cooperative (MESCO) is in the process of setting up a first-of-its-kind industrial estate in Pune. To be developed in Bhosari, it will be spread over 2.5 acres at an initial cost of Rs 7.5 crore. "We are planning to have 100 units, each of 600 to 1,000 sq.ft and our deadline has been set for 2014," said Col (Retd) Suhas Jatkar, Managing Director, MESCO. "Traditionally, ex-servicemen are mostly employed in the private security business. However, they have much more to offer than just that. Many of them have worked in the technical arms of the Army and are well-versed with tool room and manufacturing operations," he added.

MESCO is also aiming to rope in retired personnel from the Air Force and the Indian Navy because of their familiarity with high-end technology. To get the project going, MESCO has applied for an additional grant of Rs 10 crore from the central government. "The government is committed to the welfare of retired soldiers. Therefore, we are looking for financial assistance from it, as also from the state government," Jatkar said, adding, "The units that we set up will primarily focus on the production of automobile and engineering goods and supply them to large industries. We expect around 1,000 persons to find employment here."