- News>
- Delhi
BJP to raise Defense issues in Parliament
In the wake of the controversy over Army chief Gen V K Singh`s allegation, BJP has decided to grant discuss of the budget in the LS.
New Delhi: In the wake of the controversy over Army chief Gen V K Singh`s allegation about his being
offered bribe, BJP has decided to speak on the Defense Ministry in the demand-for-grants discussion of the budget in the Lok Sabha with the aim of highlighting several issues pertaining to the armed forces.
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Monday said BJP will choose the Defence Ministry as its subject of discussion during the demand-for-grants debate. In the budget discussions, each party is allowed to choose a ministry. The controversy created by Gen Singh, who said in an interview that he had been offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore for an equipment deal, is latest in a string of issues relating to the Defense Ministry.
The reported differences between the Ministry of Defense and the armed forces, the conduct of both the ministry and the army in the case of Gen Singh`s date of birth, the one-rank-one-pension issue for retired defense personnel, delay in buying fighter planes and other equipment are among a host of issues BJP is likely to raise during the debate. BJP has also demanded that PAC and CAG be apprised of the expenditure incurred by the defense forces from the annual budget allocated to them.
The Defense Ministry has maintained this information is not for public consumption while CAG and PAC, which examines and acts on all CAG reports, have sought details from the government on the expenditure under various heads and departments.
Incursions by Chinese armed forces into Arunachal Pradesh and other border areas of India will also be brought up by BJP for discussion. The activities of Pakistan army on the Kashmir border as well as the Sri Lankan navy which often holds Indian fishermen captive will also be raised, along with other issues.
PTI
Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Monday said BJP will choose the Defence Ministry as its subject of discussion during the demand-for-grants debate. In the budget discussions, each party is allowed to choose a ministry. The controversy created by Gen Singh, who said in an interview that he had been offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore for an equipment deal, is latest in a string of issues relating to the Defense Ministry.
The reported differences between the Ministry of Defense and the armed forces, the conduct of both the ministry and the army in the case of Gen Singh`s date of birth, the one-rank-one-pension issue for retired defense personnel, delay in buying fighter planes and other equipment are among a host of issues BJP is likely to raise during the debate. BJP has also demanded that PAC and CAG be apprised of the expenditure incurred by the defense forces from the annual budget allocated to them.
The Defense Ministry has maintained this information is not for public consumption while CAG and PAC, which examines and acts on all CAG reports, have sought details from the government on the expenditure under various heads and departments.
Incursions by Chinese armed forces into Arunachal Pradesh and other border areas of India will also be brought up by BJP for discussion. The activities of Pakistan army on the Kashmir border as well as the Sri Lankan navy which often holds Indian fishermen captive will also be raised, along with other issues.
PTI