INS, New Delhi: A review of India's defence purchase procedures will be completed soon and over 73 percent of the defence allocation for the current fiscal has already been spent, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday.
Addressing a meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to his ministry, Mukherjee hoped the revised arms purchase procedures would be more streamlined towards the requirements of the armed forces.
The existing procedures have come in for considerable criticism following complaints from the armed forces about delays in acquiring much-needed equipment and accusation about the alleged payment of kickbacks in several deals.
Mukherjee also informed the MPs that till the end of December, 73 percent of the defence budget of Rs.770 billion ($16.74 billion) for 2004-05 had been spent.
India has over the past year signed several big-ticket deals to acquire a refitted aircraft carrier from Russia, 66 jet trainers from Britain and three airborne warning and control aircraft from Israel.
He said more emphasis would be given to research and development in defence production and quality control.
Mukherjee lauded the indigenous production of the light combat aircraft Tejas, main battle tank Arjun and advanced light helicopter Dhruv and termed them as shining examples of India's defence production capabilities.
Referring to the creation of a department of ex-servicemen's welfare in the defence ministry, Mukherjee said this showed the government's commitment to the welfare of retired military personnel.
He informed the MPs that a group of ministers is looking into the long-standing demand of one-rank one-pension for the ex-servicemen and invited their suggestions on the issue.
Mukherjee said that he was taking personal interest in the allotment of land and homes to heroes and war widows of the kargil border conflict of 1999. He informed the Mps he had taken up the matter with chief ministers and the defence secretary has written to chief secretaries of the respective states.
The MPs stressed the need for more budget allocation for research and development. They were of the opinion that the one rank, one pension demand was justified and should be accepted by the government.
Defence Secretary Ajai Vikram Singh, Defence Production Secretary Shekhar Dutt, Secretary Defence (Finance) Somi Tandon and Secretary for Defence Research and Development M. Natarajan were present at the meeting.
