Ahmedabad: Only nation’s good drives the decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said defense minister Nirmala Sitaraman speaking at Dinesh hall here in RSS affiliated ‘Bharatiya Vichar Manch’ function.

Sitharaman said, “in 2014 when we formed the government in Centre, there was huge discussion that armed forces had tanks but not bombs, they had rifles but not bullets and huge ships but not torpedoes. In order to operate, you need this, such was the situation the previous government had created. There were not even enough bullet proof jackets and helmets.”

She further said, “In the month of December I went to Maharashtra based firing range and dedicated two types of guns. In that function, the Army said that guns were inducted for the first time in the Indian Army after a gap of 30 years since Bofors.”

She said, “such was confusion in the area of national security. A soldier never leave his gun. Even when he sleeps, his gun lies next to him. No effort was made to give him latest gun, or technically advanced aircraft or bullet proof jacket. What did they (in previous government in Centre) do with budget allocated? ”

“Discussions about readiness of armed forces got louder as soon as Modi became PM. The question was, whether we had enough bullets, tanks, guns ready to sustain intense fight for ten days? All such questions were raised after Modi became PM. These questions had to be raised before 2014. We had raised them when in opposition. Today we are in concrete situation to answer such questions. Because in every subject, by following the system and the procedures over procedures which are complicated in defense department we have done it.”

She said, “in last few years of this government, the orders for 36 fighter Rafale have been given and the first one will arrive in September this year. A decision was taken to purchase two 1135.6 frigates from Russia and construction of two more under ‘Make in India’ model at Goa shipyard with same specification. As many as 50,000 bullet proof waists were delivered last year and same number of waists are to be delivered by March 31st this year. Decision on this was not taken during ten years of previous government in the Centre. This government purchased 72,400 assault rifles for soldiers. Order has been given for purchase of So100 air defense system from Russia for stronger operational readiness of Indian Air Force. You may have read reports about Inter government agreement for manufacturing of more rifles in India. This is broad picture after a long gap left by previous government.”

Defense minister further added that just in a matter of 4 years, 5 overseas offshore petrol vessels were delivered. The pact was inked in 2015 and one such vessel was delivered same year. She again pointed out that in matter of 10 years nothing was purchased and some or other excuse was given.

Lambasting the previous government, Sitaraman said, ” since year 2001 Air Force squadron was depleting. New aircraft were neither procured from abroad nor we could proceed ahead with HAL made Tejas”.

“You didn’t do it, national security was compromised, Indian Air Force again and again reminded you that China’s number of aircraft was increasing and China’s new found friend Pakistan was in coordination and their supply was also increased, their squadron strength was increasing, not ours, but the deal was not signed finally giving excuse of lack of money.”

“What money are you talking about? Because when ministry decides for purchase, proceeds with trial and testing and finalizes the quality standards, provision is also made for budget. So after everything, there’s no chance to ask, where’s the money and stall the things. Money is there. So at that time (when Congress led UPA government’s defense minister Antony said Rafale can’t be purchased due to lack of money) also I felt what money they were talking about? Money was there in ministry. The fact was, national security was not in priority for them, somebody else’s financial problem was in priority. At the end of the day what justification you can give for the fact that the decision was not taken when you were in government?”

Sitaraman in reference to Congress party’s barb against Rafale deal said, “you are searching for a scandal which is not there, because of Congress mentality that Defense ministry a big budget ministry and technical decision in this ministry can’t happen without middle men.”

“Congress would think, how without middle men, the decisions can be taken, because in their era every decision had middle man.”

“But now there’s no middle man and all decisions are taken.”

Sitaraman said, “you need to have a government that keeps national security above all, on the top. It is this government that believes so and therefore Rafale decision was taken.”

DeshGujarat