Panel of MPs warns of too low spending on defence
■ Defence budget as GDP per cent lowest since 1962 war
Ruing the low budgetary allocations for defence, the Estimates Committee of Parliament headed by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi criticised the fact that the defence budget as a percentage of GDP was at its lowest since 1962, when India- China war was fought.
The panel’s report, submitted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, cautions: “Today at 1.6 per cent of GDP, India’s defence budget to GDP ratio has reached the levels we had before 1962. The implications could be ominous.”
On the critical shortage of fighter aircraft, the report said the availability in India was 60 per cent, while it should be at least 70 per cent. It said the Chinese Air Force had 930 fourthgeneration fighters, to go up to 1,300 in five years, while India has less than 400 such fighters.
Ruing over the low budgetary allocations for defence, the Estimates Committee of parliament, headed by senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has lambasted the fact that the current defence budget as a percentage of GDP is at the lowest level since 1962 when India- China war was fought.
Quoting an expert, the parliamentary panel report wrote, “Today at 1.6% of the GDP, India’s defense budget to GDP ratio has reached the levels we had before 1962. The implications could be ominous.” The report said, “In the current geo- political scenario, a country of the size of India cannot afford complacency when it is a question of defence preparedness even for a twofront war while retaining its dominance in the Indian Ocean”.
Comprising 30 Lok Sabha MPs, the Estimates Committee compiles a report on the overall economy and the efficiency that can be achieved in expenditures by scrutinizing the estimates. Queried on the budget requirement and allocation of funds for defence acquisitions, Secretary ( Defence Production) told the committee: “Requirement of the forces is very high and the fund allocation to that extent is not there”.
On the critical issue of shortage of fighter aircraft availability, the report said the availability was 60% in India whereas as per the standard norm, at any time, there should be 70% serviceability of aircraft.
Citing comparative figures, the report pointed out that the Chinese Air Force already has 930 Fourth Generation fighter jets whereas India has less than 400 Fourth generation fighters. Government has assured all round support to states hit by floods and will soon send a team of officials to assess the damage in Kerala. The quantum of relief will be decided once evaluation of the situation is completed, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Intervening in a discussion on flood and drought situation in the country, Mr Rijiju said the Centre would not discriminate against any state while providing funds to deal with these natural calamities.
“No state has been discriminated for funds and ` 80 crore has already been released to Kerala to meet the immediate requirements. We have constituted an inter- ministerial team. They will visit Kerala soon and they will assess the quantum of damage and the highlevel committee under the Home Minister will look into their report and decide on the quantum of
No state has been discriminated for funds and 80 crore has already been released to Kerala to meet the immediate requirements — Kiren Rijiju, Union minister
assistance,” he said.
Observing that disaster management was a priority for the government, he assured members that the Centre would provide all support to Kerala to deal with the flood devastation. Responding to allegations of some members on non- release of funds, he said ` 224 crore was released to West Bengal, ` 294 crore to Tamil Nadu and ` 120 crore to Karnataka.
Several members of the Lok Sabha from Kerala including K Venugopal, Suresh K. and N. K. Premchandran demanded special financial package for the state to deal with the situation arising from the heavy rains and flooding in states.