Parl panel asks MoD to seek PMO help to solve fund crunch HAL to deliver 3 Tejas planes by monthend

NEW DELHI: 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 .” The 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. “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 tabled the same day, the army told the panel that even as China and Pakistan are modernising their militaries, a looming financial crisis is crippling India’s combat capabilities when it should be prepared for a twofront war. NEW DELHI: Plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said it plans to deliver three more light combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of March, taking the count of planes in the IAF’s first Tejas squadron from six to nine.

“With increased level of outsourcing and capacity augmentation within HAL, we will be able to speed up the deliveries to cater to the present and future requirements,” said an HAL official, who did not wish to be identified.