‘We are eager to tie up with pvt firms to make weapons’
Abhilash Khandekar, Political Editor FPJ, meets the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Subhash Bhamre, for a detailed interview. The MoS is an MP from Maharashtra’s Dhule constituency. Excerpts: Q. You are a first-time MP handling a very important portfolio. How do you look at the degree you have, people’s expectations and your new job?
A. Sometimes destiny forces you to do certain tasks in life. I wanted to be a doctor, I was lucky my dream was fulfilled. Politics was never my life’s aim. My parents, who came from rural background and not very educated, supported me all the way. I did medicine and super speciality in cancer surgery from Mumbai’s Grant Medical College in 1986. Most of my colleagues settled for well-paid jobs in Mumbai but I returned to Dhule since there was no cancer specialists around.
After years of medical service, I earned popularity and the BJP offered me a ticket to contest against a businessman (Ambrish Patel) from the Congress. I won with a big margin and within two years, I was made a minister. My constituency is agrarian, but backward. People believed in me. In the past three years, I managed to get the Manmad-Indore railway line, kept in the backburner for 40 years, sanctioned. I also got a big irrigation project worth Rs 2,363 crore cleared thus benefitting 150 villages. Approved by Uma Bharti’s ministry, I got the NH-3 widened into a four-lane highway and added Dhule to the DMIC project. But when I joined the Defence Ministry, I was slightly nervous since I did not know much about its nuances.
Our army is the world’s third-largest force. Over a period of time, I learnt its strengths. Our research facilities are world class and officers and jawans extremely dedicated. Ordnance factories, PSUs like HAL, BEL and shipyards such as the Mazagaon dockyard and other such facilities are doing a great job.
Q. What have been your priorities after joining this ministry?
A. It’s a collective work. We have simplified many processes for Indian firms to make arms and ammunition. We want indigenously designed weaponry wherever possible. The industry was asking for level-playing field and we gave it to them. We have encouraged MSMEs to come forward to produce defence equipment for us.
Besides providing them seed money as advance up to to Rs 10 crore, we are entering into strategic partnership with the private industry. We are promoting joint ventures between foreign manufacturers and the government. We want to enhance production of fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines and tankers. Whereever needed, we are importing machines from companies like Rafale. Our goal is to improve R&D and create skilled manpower. All this will improve the defence ecosystem.
Most of my colleagues settled for well-paid jobs in Mumbai but I returned to Dhule since there was no cancer specialists around. After years of service, the BJP gave me a ticket to contest the elections — Subhash Bhamre
Recently you went to Jammu & Kashmir. What is the ground reality there?
A. I don't deny there has been a problem but we are systematically going about solving it. I spoke to jawans there, met people, went to LoC, saw for myself how difficult the terrain is. Sitting in Delhi people may have no idea of the area. North Kashmir has much less challenges but in the South Kashmir separatists and terrorists are creating problems. They don't allow youth to join our recruitment rallies. Youth are waylaid there. Through army's consistent efforts to organise sports and cultural events, we are engaging the youth. Stone pelting has drastically come down. Unfortunately, some TV channels repeatedly telecast old videos creating a wrong perception that it's happening daily. Demonetisation did have its positive impact. I must appreciate army's patience and ability to withstand pressures of all kinds. Winning local confidence is important and the work is on. Let me say that everything is not lost ! When I went there, I was told by soldiers posted on the border about their family problems back home, some land issues or certain other things. Upon return to Delhi, I have created a mechanism to tackle them. They have to write a letter to me and my office would talk to authorities in their home districts to help sort out the issues. Q. But reports of cross-border terrorism come daily, even after the surgical
strike. Pakistan is not stopping its nefarious activities. Jawans being killed.
A. India has been able to make the global powers realise that terrorism is an international and common problem to be fought jointly. ISIS is already spreading its network all across but you see now there is a diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. We have succeeded to a greater extent to isolate Pakistan on the global fora. Surgical strikes, too, helped teach them a lesson. All supported India's move, including China. Our army is quite capable for dealing with Pakistan any time and under any circumstances. We have exposed their proxy war. They know they can't win a traditional war against India hence using children and women. In just a year, 300 terrorists have been gunned down in the Valley by Indian Army. Our army is showing lot of restraint and must be praised. Q.
There are reports that Indian Army has large number of vacant positions, especially at the senior level. Do you think youth are less interested in joining the Army?
A. Look, filling of vacancy in armed forces is a regular and ongoing process. We have filled many posts in the past three years. Yes, there are some vacancies of officers but that is not affecting work. The NDA at Khadkwasala near Pune and Military Academy in Dehradun are our main entry points for recruitments into armed forces besides common entrance exams through the UPSC. Our standards are quite high, but I don't think the craze for joining army has gone down at any point of time. Q.
The Sainik Schools used to be great attraction for youngsters. They come directly under you. How they faring now?
A. We have 25 Sainik Schools in India and more are being opened including one at Chandrapur in Maharashtra. The state government sends us requests, they also give us land and then we give grants from the defence ministry and run these schools.
One last question about OROP which you are overseeing. What is the progress?
A. OROP (One Rank One Pension) is easily the biggest pro-armed forces decision taken in 70 years by any government. And I thank Modiji for the bold decision. Already, Rs 10,000 crore have been distributed. We organised pension adalats, 62 rallies to distribute the dues. Of the four instalments, three have been disbursed and one is left. It was BJP’s promise and we have fulfilled it.