WSN Service
NEW DELH: Indian army has started feeling the pinch of the country’s financial crisis and complains of reduced supplies of rations and fuel and money even for salaries.
All three wings of India’s vast military establishment had R.s 18,000 crore as budgetary allocation for 1991 of which the army alone claimed 8364.30 crore .But the latter has already exhausted its allocation for the year, five months before the year closes.
The army chief, General S.F. Rodrigues, has written to defense minister, Sharad Pawar, seeking additional funds for the troops. The army chief has reportedly stated that the day-to-day functioning of the defense forces is in danger. Even the in movement of the troops is not smoothly possible with lower available it “of funds. ‘There is no provision for modernization of the force. The army demanded (provision for 5000 tents in the snow-covered Saichan region but of 1000 tents only. The army chief has also revealed that can Cuts on water and electric supply to troops to save money.
It may be recalled that India has one of the largest standing armies in the world which claims a lion’s share out of the country’ Resources. The army is frequently in internal security duties. The defense ministers some time ago had suggested state’s provide for the cost of the maintenance of the troops. The defense controlled by the federal government. The internal law and order is technically in the hands of state governments.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 22, 1991
