The Defence Procurement Policies (DPP) being introduced by the present government are mostly against the larger interests of our country and its people. The purpose of all the policies is to favour few business houses and the MNCs. This government is totally against the PSUs. Defence Ministry has recently procured helicopters and other equipment at very high and unjustified prices. This is non-transparent act and against the interests of the nation.
Despite so much talk about ‘Make in India’, the production capacities of none of the successful, indigenously developed products such as ALH, Dhruv Helicopter, MBT, etc, have been increased. This is against existing huge backlog in supplies for all such equipment. The delay in Final Operational Clearance (FOC) and subsequent series manufacturing of LCA and LCH appears to be deliberate. The production capacities of various manufacturing plants of Defence PSUs such as HAL Kanpur, HAL Koraput, etc, have not been increased for many years now. The announcement to export defence products is only for talks and for misleading the public. Government is failing to achieve the target of collection of fund through disinvestment of PSUs, yet it is not selling stakes in Defence PSUs so that competition with private sector is not increased. It is not out of place to mention that after the Initial Public Offer (IPO) of BEML during 2007, the efficiency and transparency level of the organisation has improved drastically. Why not repeat the success story.
May I provide another example? The Hon’ble Minister of Defence belongs to Goa. As per Indian political practice, it is expected that industries in Goa such as Goa Shipyard Ltd. will receive some support in the form of expansion of production capacity, expedited placement of orders, etc. This would have generated local employment and improved economic conditions. Added to this, as a backward integration of ship building industry, investment in a marine grade steel production facility with the abundantly available iron ore in Goa is likely to have a major positive impact on the economy of the state.
My suggestion is that legislation for state funding of elections must be introduced in the Parliament. This will solve many of the political corruption in India.
I request a national debate on the subject.
