Harsha Kakar
The recent issue of the a magazine, commemorating Army day, was devoted to reforms being undertaken by the army as it faces a financial crunch in its modernization programme. Its editorial however made some logical but mostly disparaging suggestions on enhancing funds for modernization. In magazine’s view, the present lack of funds for modernization is due to the large strength of the army. The manpower reduction exercise presently being undertaken by the army would only provide it with an additional Rs 6000 crore which is just 6 percent of the revenue budget.
Manpower in the armed forces is based on threat perceptions and equipment profile. With induction of technology, manpower may be reduced. This was also the view of the Prime Minister when he addressed senior armed forces officers. To induct technology, infusion of funds is essential. With conflicting demands for development and social sector, funds for defence would always be at a premium. Somewhere the Government has ignored the words of Late President Abdul Kalam who stated that ‘national security and development go together. Without one, the other is not possible.’
Interestingly, the editorial makes no mention of the 4 lakh civilian employees paid from the defence budget, in various establishments, most of which have outlived their purpose. Many Ordnance Factories are presently redundant and could be closed. Similar is the case with the Director General Quality Assurance, which has already given most industries and ordnance factories the power of self-certification, reducing their load. This redundant manpower would add to enhancing the modernization share of the budget for the armed forces.
There were also some sweeping statements. These included moving the army out of cantonments so it could free land for expansion of cities. It even suggested that the army should be located away from cities and towns. The editorial went on to add that sale of these lands would provide funds for enhancing military capabilities and could be part of the defence budget. In their opinion, location of the army is cities is unwarranted and wasteful. Nothing could be more illogical.
For a magazine claiming to be amongst the most popular and educative in the country, the view projected in the editorial appears to be the reverse. The army was initially deployed away from cities in cantonments during British times. Cities developed around cantonments and expanded in all directions. Some examples are Kolkata, Lucknow, Secunderabad, Prayagraj, Kanpur and even Delhi. Now the suggestions flowing are the opposite.
Establishing and developing a cantonment costs money. Millions of crores have already been spent on construction within cantonments and its maintenance over the decades.This includes construction of billets for troops, shelters for equipment and stores and accommodation for those serving within cantonments. In addition are facilities like hospitals, ammunition dumps, schools and training areas.
Most cantonments are not occupied by the armed forces alone but have large civilian pockets within. There is no way these could be vacated, or residents moved out. No logical thinking individual would expect any Government to dump its investments of seven decades and recommence construction from scratch elsewhere. It would neither be financially sound nor practical nor even logical.
Such a decision even if taken would imply that new areas are identified, construction done, troops moved out and then cantonments disposed of. The time that it would take, based on availability of budget, pace of clearing government contracts and construction, would be another collection of decades. Hence, in summation, the entire exercise would be illogical.
Another factor being ignored is that army units come to cities after prolonged tenures in tough and hostile areas, whether they be the border with China or Pak or battling insurgencies. The men who comprise these units are also Indian citizens who have families which do seek some quality time with their father or husband.
These families also desire to visit malls and cinema houses occasionally. Just because an individual has worn the uniform does not imply that he is an outcast, only meant to live like leprosy patients of ancient times, in remote border areas or isolated away from cities. The soldier and his family deserve the same facilities as other residents, so what if they can only avail then for a short duration before they are shunted out again to another remote location.
It goes on to claim that proceeds occurring from sale of cantonments could be used to fulfil the armed forces needs of modernization. Again, a thought without any logical conclusion. The same could work if the army is ordered one fine morning, pack everything and go; where does the government wants to sell cantonment lands. If the intention is to reconstruct new cantonments, then shift the army out, then the funds may never see the light of day.
Further, all sales of any form, accruing from any government sale or profit is deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India. From this fund, the money may be transferred to any expenditure the Government finds suitable, not the one from which it was obtained. Hence, any such action would be meaningless.
It also suggests auctioning off spare spectrum for mobile telephony. This is possibly the only reasonable suggestion, though it has been done in the past also, opening revenue for the Government, none of which has flowed back into the defence budget.
(The author is former
Major General)
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