advertisement
The aim of this article is not to degrade the government nor to deride the Defence Ministry as it has attempted to produce the best with limited resources. I have immense respect for the leadership of the nation and believe that it can still deliver, though elections are around the corner.
While there are a few instances projected by the minister that are indisputable, there are others that sound incredulous. Sitharaman’s statement that there were no scams in the Rafale deal is correct and should be respected, despite all claims by the opposition. The inter-government approach adopted in all defence deals is a lesson for all future governments.
It shows unanimity between ministries. Sitharaman’s other noteworthy comment for which the government deserves praise is its decision to move ahead with the S-400 Triumf missile deal, despite the US clause under CAATSA. It indicates that India is willing to challenge the US’ illegal sanctions. Her remarks that Indian forces would respond to Pakistan’s misadventures, and that India’s relations with China are on track, are not unexpected.
On the assessment of NICO (Non-Initiation of Combat Operations) in the Valley, Sitharaman stated that it is the responsibility of the Home Ministry, and that she supports the same. Surprisingly, two days before the Home Ministry announced NICO, in a press conference the defence minister had stated, “Indian Army has to firmly handle terrorism which threatens the peace and harmony of J&K. The Army’s position is that it has to be firm on terrorism.”
Thus, the Army was probably not consulted when the initial decision was made.
Two issues where her comments twisted facts and sought to project the wrong picture need clarification. The first is her comments on the opening of cantonment roads.
In her statement, Nirmala Sitharaman read out multiple dates of meetings held between the MoD and Army officials, apart from those held between political representatives and vice presidents of cantonment boards, seeking to arrive at a consensus before the final orders were given. Therefore, she sought to project that the final decision arrived at was a collective one, not a unilateral one, as the media is projecting.
Of these 119, 80 have been opened, 15 partially, and 24 remain closed. She claimed that her insistence has been that due procedures be followed prior to closure. Her final comment was that it would be the Local Military Authority which would take the final call.
If her claims above are to be believed, why did her ministry issue a letter on 28 May, stating that sanction for closure of roads in the future would rest with the MoD? Did it want to send a message that senior military officers, who are capable of security decisions at the national level, are incapable of taking decisions at the local level? The letter also indicates that the decision must have been pushed down the Army’s throat solely to appease vote banks, rather than being a joint one.
Her own party, the BJP, celebrated by distributing sweets and taking convoys of hundreds of vehicles with party flags inside cantonments, symbolising the leading political party’s victory over the Army. Ironically, it was an insult to the Army, that its own populace, whom it has always supported, were celebrating a victory over its increased vulnerability. There were no comments against it by any political hot shot, including the defence minister in her press conference.
This haphazard, so-called ‘joint decision’ has led to the Army being exposed to possible security threats. Her comments on ensuring the safety of Army families are already crumbling with reports of miscreants targeting residential accommodations in Khadki, and locals demanding opening of roads moving through separated family accommodation in Secunderabad.
The other aspect where her statements were incorrect was on the issue of shortage of funds and ammunition stocks of the Army. She quoted figures to justify her ministry’s stand. The previous Vice Chief of the Army, General Sarath Chand, had told the parliamentary standing committee, “The 2018-19 budget dashed our hopes. The marginal increase barely accounts for inflation and does not even cater for taxes.”
Even Maj Gen BC Khanduri, the head of the parliamentary committee of defence stated:
I wonder if she labels the statements of both General Sarath Chand and Khanduri, as ‘misleading’.
Latest reports suggest that the Army is already planning to cut down demands of its assault rifles to 250,000 from 800,000, solely due to a shortfall of funds. I would accept the words of Army officers who call a spade a spade, rather than just quote figures to indicate that there is no shortfall. The budget may have increased, but not when inflation and other commitments have been factored in.
A shortfall of ammunition is a problem inherited by this government. It was such that former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had to revise the holdings of ammunition from 30 days to 10, solely to enable the government to meet this requirement.
Sitharaman’s claim that presently there is no shortfall, may again be just a quote on figures. Press reports in April stated that the Army has identified ‘certain types of expensive ammunition which it will not procure even though their stocks are insufficient.’
He added, “Of the 144 schemes contracted in the last three years only 8-10 percent have fructified. The average time taken was 52 months, which was twice the laid down time.” I had hoped Sitharaman would address this issue, but it was left to the defence secretary (who is part of the delay) to justify.
In the overall context, major irritants were ignored or brushed aside, while issues that the public are already aware of (mostly positive) were given excessive importance. I do hope that the MoD tries to fill the gaps in its press conference and issues a rejoinder on its erroneous comments.
(The author is a retired army officer based in Lucknow. He can be reached @kakar_harsha. This is a personal blog and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Published: 06 Jun 2018,08:05 PM IST