In episode 675 of 'Cut The Clutter', ThePrint's Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta explains why defence budget for 2021-22 has risen only marginally, 'guns versus butter’ debate & more.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday announced Rs 1.15 lakh crore for defence pensions, about 13 per cent less than the Rs 1.33 lakh crore that was allocated last financial year.
The 15th Finance Commission has recommended a Rs 2.38 lakh crore non-lapsable fund for modernisation in 2021-26. But the overall defence budget in FY22 is up only 1.5%.
Reeling under acute financial crunch, the Indian armed forces expect increased allocation to meet their modernisation plans. The Modi government must deliver.
Forces cite ongoing LAC standoff with China to point out the desperate need for defence modernisation. But experts say not much room for significant jump.
Trump vetoed the defence policy bill arguing that it affected national security and also disagreed with provisions to rename military installations named after Confederate generals.
Stanford researcher writes why New Delhi in recent times has been left with an invidious all-or-nothing choice in the use of military force—either start a major war or abstain from action.
Most of India’s defence programmes take about two decades before being fielded. For whatever reason this has become the norm, it is no longer sustainable.
Defence capabilities cannot be improved overnight. The problem is that the resolve to build capacity has been largely missing in Modi and his predecessors.
Neither state govts nor companies earn large profits from lotteries. However, a look at the system shows there’s ample evidence of murky dealings and financial irregularities.
In an interview with Gulistan News this week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government would leave law and order to J&K Police and slowly withdraw troops.
The ‘idea’ Kejriwal's politics grew around was a no-holds-barred fight against corruption. That is the reason Modi govt has now tarred him and his entire party with the same paint.
In absolute terms, five trillion is a lot of money. At a time of pandemic, we have been reminded how inadequate the 1.2% of GDP spent on public healthcare is. It should be at least 2.5%. Military planners also need to factor in the sag in economic growth rates, which is tying the FM’s hands. The saving grace is the nuclear deterrent. As a lay person, one cannot visualise how a two front war with three nuclear armed states will play out.
In absolute terms, five trillion is a lot of money. At a time of pandemic, we have been reminded how inadequate the 1.2% of GDP spent on public healthcare is. It should be at least 2.5%. Military planners also need to factor in the sag in economic growth rates, which is tying the FM’s hands. The saving grace is the nuclear deterrent. As a lay person, one cannot visualise how a two front war with three nuclear armed states will play out.