A top Defence Ministry official today indicated that more budgetary allocation is required to balance the military needs as well as the economic development expenditure of the key sector particularly in view of the recent incidents in the country involving external forces.
"Although the defence budget looks to the large volume, but these are not the sheer numbers ... The size and the breadth of the country ... Even that kind of budget looks very small," said Sunil Kumar Kohli, who took over as the Financial Advisor to Defence Services early this month.
Recalling his recent discussions with Finance Ministry officials, he said, "Even on pension budget, Rs 82,000 crore is not sufficient for us. I had asked for almost a lakh crore for pension budget."
The official, who had worked within Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in various capacities before assuming the top post, spoke about the need for bringing "fiscal discipline" in the defence sector. He also advised various services under the ministry to "plan properly" to achieve on time each and everything related to their departments.
"Fiscal discipline we will teach you and rest of the discipline we learn from all of you," Kohli said, addressing coast guard officials after commissioning two fast patrol vessels for the maritime force built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Noting that all kind of economic activities are increasing, he said in fact, the ministry required a huge amount for development expenditure.
"It becomes very difficult even to balance the military needs as well as the economic development expenditure.
"Looking at the size and breadth of the country and the vulnerability and the kind of threats which are coming, even to guard inside the country becomes problematic...
"Each and every area, even taking care of the inventory-- each gun or each missile -- requiresspecialised kind of equipment," he added.
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The official hailed the "synergy" which has been created within the Defence Ministry to cut down the administrative time for procurement of defence equipment.
"I am very happy also to note that recently, because of the external environment, the kind of synergy which has been created within the Defence Ministry to take care of immediate requirement and in a fast track mode the whole ministry is functioning in a very collaborative effort.
"This kind of synergy will always help the services, will always help the country and give assurance to all our countrymen that our country is safe as far as forces are concerned," he said.
Observing that planning is the core of the decision making, Kohli said, "If you plan properly, we can achieve each and everything on time."
"What I am trying to say is that each penny is important and wherever we are working from the fiscal point of view we have to ensure the kind of value for money," he said.
He said each competent demand within the defence ministry -- the border roads, the Coast Guard, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force-- is huge.
"You can prioritise what is right and wrong. But prioritise between what is more right and what is less right because every aspect is important as far as the security of the country is concerned," the official said.
Kohli said the Finance Ministry has always given priority to defence requirements and also for paramilitary forces' needs.
