Armed forces reasonably equipped to defend borders: Jaitley

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today dismissed a report that the country did not have ammunition for war beyond 10 days, saying there were ample stocks in the country and the arms procurement process had been simplified. Mr Jaitley gave this information in response to a question by Prof Ram Gopal Yadav of Samajwadi Party during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha where he referred to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) submitted in the past days.

The Defence Minister assured the nation that the armed forces were 'reasonably equipped' to defend the country's borders in the event of any attack by enemy forces. He stressed that this was a very important issue but the matter concerned 2013. 'Now the procurement process of arms has been simplified and rights have been decentralised and recently the necessary ammunition has been procured,' he told the Members. The reports of shortage referred to a 'particular point of time'. He did not elaborate. Earlier, Prof Yadav said in view of prevailing border tension, the people were worried that the country's ammunition stock would not last beyond 10 days.

He rued that in the aftermath of the Bofors scandal, defence supplies had dwindled due to fears of being accused of profiteering. Anand Sharma of Congress urged the government to go in for emergency purchases. He expressed concern that procedures for arms supplies had only been simplified very recently and the country needed to go in for emergency purchases. However, Deputy chairman P J Kurien did not allow further discussion on the matter demanding that notice under Rule 267 be given by members seeking a thorough discussion on the situation.