House panel asks MoD to seek PMO help to solve fund crunch

Observation comes when military is struggling to scale up its capabilities

NEWDELHI: A parliamentary panel has asked the defence ministry to seek intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to resolve its budget crisis at a time the Indian military is struggling to scale up its capabilities due to a worrying fund crunch.

In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the parliamentary standing committee on defence said, “The ministry may once again take up the matter with the PMO for intervention so as to ensure that adequate allocations are available for the modernisation of army.”

The panel’s observation came in response to the ministry’s reply — in an action taken report — that it had taken up the issue of fund shortage with the PMO but it was unsure if the top office had made any reference to the finance ministry. A defence ministry official said the army would have to prioritise its requirements and supplementary funds could be sought at a later stage, refusing to comment on whether the ministry would approach the PMO again. A government spokesperson also refused to comment.

“Hollowness in our capabilities is an issue that has been flagged consistently during the last six to seven years. It is only right that adequate attention is given to it,” said Lieutenant General KJ Singh (retired), a former army commander.

In another report which was tabled the same day, the army told the panel that even as neighbouring China and Pakistan are modernising their militaries at a lightning pace.