Finance Ministry eyes new ways to boost non-lapsable defence fund

The ministry said FFC recommendations are against good parliamentary practice

The finance ministry has rejected the funding pattern of the non-lapsable defence fund recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission (FFC). It is instead exploring new means of funding. The ministry is of the opinion that putting money directly into a non-lapsable fund — as suggested by the FFC, bypassing annual Parliament scrutiny - is against good parliamentary practice.

“The commission’s recommendations on defence have not been accepted. The government is not likely to agree to put money from the Consolidated Fund of India into a non-lapsable fund. Traditionally, a non-lapsable fund is based on some earmarked revenue, such as goods and