Army Commander's Conference

Army Commander's Conference: Minister Stresses On Optimum, Efficient Funds Usage

The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has called upon the Armed Forces to reduce revenue expenditure, while utilizing more funds for capital acquisitions and modernisation.Addressing the Army Commanders’ Conference here today, Shri Antony called upon the top brass to embrace austerity and shun profligacy to ensure optimum and efficient utilization of funds. He suggested the Forces may adopt the motto of “Service with Simplicity”.“We have been allotted an enhanced budget for the current financial year. We need to ensure optimum and efficient utilization of funds. Our Armed Forces would do well to embrace austerity and shun profligacy. I would like the slogan of our Armed Forces to be “Service with Simplicity”. The emphasis should be more on reducing revenue expenditure, while utilizing more funds for capital acquisitions and modernisation”, he said.The Defence Minister spoke on a wide range of issues relating to the security situation in the country and in the region. He said, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is by and large under control. The violence has been brought down to a large extent by effective operations by our Security Forces, along the Line of Control as well as in the hinterland. The policy of the Security Forces of ‘Iron Fist with Velvet Glove’, as enunciated in the recently released doctrine on sub-conventional operations, is paying dividends. Shri Antony said, the cease fire along the Line of Control is holding. Though various political and diplomatic developments and initiatives on both sides have increased the levels of expectancy, there is no change in Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. This remains a cause of concern to us, he said. Referring to the Indo-Pak talks, he said, Islamabad will have to put an end to cross-border terrorism for the dialogue to be successful. Shri Antony said, Pakistan has continued to increase its defence budget and receive military assistance from various countries. “Although we wish to continue the talks process with Pakistan, it is imperative for us to keep a close watch on various developments and maintain constant vigil”, he said.Turning to the North-East, the Defence Minister said that the conducive security environment there manifested itself in the peaceful conduct of elections in Manipur and smooth organizing of National Games in Guwahati. Shri Antony said, while more and more groups are entering into a “suspension of operations” agreement with the Government, the peace talks with ULFA got disrupted because of its ‘intransigence’. He said due to sustained pressure of the Security Forces, against the ULFA cadres, its ability to influence and intimidate the people has been considerably reduced.The Defence Minister called upon the Armed Forces to take utmost care so that incidents of violation of human rights do not take place, while they are fighting against terrorism. “Our Armed Forces also need to guard against any incidence of violation of human rights in their fight against terrorism. While the need to exert pressure on the terrorists is necessary, utmost care needs to be taken to avoid any act, which may be exploited by the terrorists and separatist elements to alienate the population. This has an adverse impact on the gains made so painstakingly”, he said.Turning to Afghanistan, Shri Antony said, prospects of an early conclusion of the ongoing operations by the International Security Assistance Force appears to be remote. He said, it is important that the efforts to bring stability to this country troubled by terrorism proves successful. Otherwise it is bound to have dangerous implications not only for the entire region, but also for the world.Shri Antony said that India is following a policy of positive engagement with China in an attempt to forge better ties. The institutionalization of confidence building measures and the signing of an agreement on political parameters and guiding principles for settlement of the India-China boundary question have provided an added impetus to the process, he said.The Defence Minister also touched upon the myriad issues affecting the Armed Forces. He said, that the number of suicide and fratricide cases continues to be a cause of concern and must be addressed urgently. All possible steps must be taken to reduce stress on Jawans. He urged upon the top brass to lay adequate emphasis on the humanitarian side through better and more humane man-management. This, he said can be done through enhanced interaction between senior and junior officers – both in qualitative and quantitative terms.He also called upon the Service Headquarters to constantly monitor statutory and non-statutory complaints so that timely redressal is provided to all concerned. Since Army Commanders deliberate on the personnel profiles of the senior officers in the zone of consideration at the time of promotion, he advised them to look into various aspects of officers’ profiles keeping in view their meritorious record so that there is no room for inconsistencies or arbitrariness, while grading the officers.Shri Antony said, that after the setting up of the Pay Commission last year, separate pay commission cells have been established for the three Services, which are working to formulate proposals to be submitted directly to the commission in respect of the Armed Forces personnel. After the Services submit their proposals to the Pay Commission, the Ministry will also follow up the proposals in the right earnest, he said