Incompetent Antony

Sir — This refers to the editorial, “Still in whitewash mode” (March 7). The desired achievement which the country expected from Defence Minister AK Antony about defence preparedness to meet any eventuality in the event of war with China or Pakistan has not been fulfilled. During the seven years of incumbency as Defence Minister, Mr Antony has paid scant attention to the country’s defence needs, and has been callous and oblivious to bellicose threat from China and Pakistan.

As reported in the media, the Union Ministry of Defence has been unable to spend its entire budgetary allocation. In certain periods, allotted funds had been diverted to other departments. All this proves the Minister’s incompetence and ineptness. He is not markedly conscious and deeply concerned about national security. 

The programme for modernisation of the Armed Forces has been exorbitantly delayed. Furthermore, Mr Antony admitted that six major projects, including that of the light Combat Aircraft and a couple of missile programmes, cannot be completed within the stipulated time-frame. He had also announced that the Indian Air Force’s multi-combat aircraft deal could not be concluded this year because of financial constraints. 

Was not it the paramount responsibility of Mr Antony to forcefully and vociferously demand, considering the urgency of well-preparedness of our Armed Forces, the allocation of adequate funds for national securityIJ Who is responsible for the excruciatingly slow procurement of defence equipment over the last seven yearsIJ