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Defence deals by NDA Govt could be probed: Pranab
Defence Minister has said some defence deals entered into by the NDA regime could be looked into.
Affirming that the new Government would strive for total transparency in armament purchases, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that some of the defence deals entered into by the NDA regime could be looked into.
"If specific charges come up regarding defence deals concluded by the BJP-led Government, these would be looked into", he told newsmen as he assumed office.
The new Government, he said, was committed to bring in total transparency in defence purchases.
Mukherjee said the new Government wanted to ensure that institutional arrangement for arms procurement was made transparent and these cover both emergency and well as regular purchases.
Spelling out the priorities of the new Government on security issues, he said the ongoing modernisation and upgradation of weaponry and training of the armed forces would be carried out with redoubled vigour and emphasis would be to ensure that all allocated funds for strategic systems were utilised and not allowed to lapse as was happening earlier.
"The budget resources of the country are scarce and efforts have to be made that they are optimally spent. Whatever is required for security of the nation would be made available", he said.
Rubbishing questions that Congress was less oriented to defence matters than the NDA Government, Mukherjee said his party had always had a bold and consistent stand on issues relating to security of the country.
"We are proud of our armed forces who at grave risk to their lives are safeguarding the country's freedom and integrity. We salute them", he said.
Asked if he was surprised by reported late night switch in portfolios, the new Defence Minister said "I am not at all surprised".
"Where is the element of surprise. It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister to allocate any portfolio to any minister", he said.
Mukherjee said the new Government had an open mind on the appointment of country's first ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Simultaneously, he said the Government would accord top most priority to push for real time integration of the three services.
On moves to curb terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister said though the subject fell into the domain of the Home Ministry, efforts in his ministry would be to ensure that armed forces remained proactive to deal with incidents like Sunday's carnage carried out by terrorists.
