NEW DELHI : National security and modernisation of the armed forces will not be affected from reduction in defence allocation under revenue segment and capital in the Revised Estimates 2012-13, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
”The allocation in the current financial year has been reduced by Rs 4,903.77 crore under the revenue segment and Rs 10,000 crore under capital in the Revised Estimates 2012-13. This has been done in view of prevailing fiscal situation,” Defence Minister A K Antony said during Question Hour.
Mr Antony said the defence allocation was adequate to sustain the pace of modernisation in the current financial year.
”The Government is continously monitoring progress of schemes to ensure that defence preparedness is maintained at an optimum level by ensuring prioritisation of expenditure within the vailable funds,” he said.
Responding to another querry, Mr Antony said the country has been surrounded by various challenges and the Government was committed to providing adequate arms and ammunition to the armed forces.
”We have to be 24×7 watchful. We have to strengthen our armed forces,” he said.
The Minister said the important procurement will be given priority and there will be no delay in such procurement.
Mr Antony, responding to other question, said the Government has been giving priority to indigenisation to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign countries for defence products. (AGENCIES)
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