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Forces sufficiently equipped, says Jaitley

Last Updated 25 July 2017, 19:07 IST
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday rebuffed suggestions that Indian military does not have enough fire power to sustain beyond 10 days, saying armed forces are "reasonably and sufficiently" equipped.

His remarks came in Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour after Samajwadi Party MP Ramgopal Yadav referred to a Comptroller and Auditor General report, which suggested that the forces have arms and ammunition to sustain only for ten days.

Jaitley said the CAG had submitted a report in 2013 and that was in reference to a particular point of time.

"Substantially, thereafter, significant progress has been made. Thereafter, procedures have been simplified, powers have been decentralised and armed forces are reasonably and sufficiently equipped. Let me assure this House," Jaitley said.

However, opposition was not satisfied with the response with Congress MP Anand Sharma asking when was the procedures simplified.

Sharma alleged that for past three years, nothing was done and there was no regular defence minister. "Now both the borders are tense," he said.

Earlier raising the issue, Yadav asked why we do not have arms and ammunition for beyond 10 days if fighting.

Reminding that borders are witnessing increased tension, Yadav asked the government to take all steps needed to ensure that armed forces are equipped properly.

Congress MP Ripun Bora also raised the issue and claimed that the NDA government has not cleared the decisions taken by UPA government between 2009 and 2013, which he described as a "very dismal situation".

"In 2013, the CAG had pointed out that there was acute scarcity of defence ammunitions. Today, in 2017, despite a lapse of four years, the Government has not taken up any steps in this direction," he added.
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(Published 25 July 2017, 07:55 IST)

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