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Fernandes calls for increased defence spending

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Defence Minister George Fernandes has said the allocation for defence should be raised to 3 per cent of the gross domestic product from the present level of about 2.3 per cent.

Inaugurating the 18th Coast Guard commanders' conference in New Delhi, Fernandes said the present allocation was insufficient to meet the demands of modernisation and new challenges.

In the Budget for 1999-2000, 2.3 per cent of the GDP was allotted to defence. This worked out to Rs 451.92 billion. In 1998-99, the allocation was Rs 412 billion. If Fernandes's demand is met, the allocation will increase to more than Rs 500 billion.

According to a defence ministry official, if indications available from the finance ministry and the prime minister's office are true, the next Budget will see a substantial increase in the allocation. "We don't know if the government will allocate 3 per cent of the GDP, but there will certainly be an increase," the official said.

Fernandes told Coast Guard commanders that for the last 10 years Indian defence forces had languished for want of money. But Kargil had created an awareness among the people about security concerns. This needs to be used to make people realise that their role is as important as that of the men in uniform, he said.

He said the handling of the Kargil conflict had earned India laurels from all quarters of the world. India is now taken more seriously and recognised as a mature nation. He expressed confidence that the country would emerge stronger in the next 25 years.

Regretting that anomalies in the pay and allowances of defence forces were yet to be resolved, Fernandes said he would have the matter sorted out speedily and there should be no reason for the personnel to feel neglected.

He complimented the Coast Guard for creating "maritime history" by nabbing jointly with the Navy a pirated ship on the high seas. He also praised the Coast Guard's role in providing relief and succour to the cyclone-hit people of Orissa.

The minister lauded initiatives to improve defence diplomacy, and the interaction between the Coast Guard of India and the coastal defence forces of neighbouring countries. Such interaction should be strengthened, he said.

The Coast Guard director general, Vice-Admiral J C D'Silva, said there had been an improvement in the force's performance in the last year with increased patrolling in sea and air. Besides its anti-poaching and anti-infiltration operations, the Coast Guard has undertaken measures to clean up oil spills and protect the famed Olive Ridley turtles.

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