'Transparent policy on arms procurement soon'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, AUG. 28. The Joint Andaman and Nicobar strategic command, being put in place for the first time, would be established by September-end, while work on the integration of the three service headquarters with the Ministry of Defence would also be completed around the same time.

The Government was also in the process of establishing a transparent policy for arms procurement through a Board and would post details on the Ministry's website.

The Minister for External Affairs and Defence, Mr. Jaswant Singh, told the Rajya Sabha today that the Joint Command comprising the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard would be headed by a Naval Officer with the rank of Commander-in-Chief and subsequently, a suitable officer from any of the three services could head it.

Replying to a discussion on the security scenario in the light of terrorist and other internal and external security threats, Mr. Singh said the Government felt a need for wider consultations on the appointment of a Chief of Defence Services, and that the Prime Minister could discuss the issue with leaders of various political parties. Mr. Singh regretted that members did not utilise the opportunity to discuss the appointment of the CDS during the debate.

In line with the recommendations of the Group of Ministers, rules were finalised for setting up a Defence Procurement Board and the Minister expressed the hope that it would be in place within the next 15 days. Whenever weapon systems were acquired, they would be open for all to check with the details posted on the Ministry's website. The Ministry was on the verge of a decision whether or not to have agents and information on this too would be on the website. The current process involved time-consuming 32 steps.

Refuting the Opposition charge that the Government had scarce allocation for defence procurement and doubts about the delivery of fighting machines, he said the first batch of T-90 tanks from Russia was scheduled to arrive by mid-December, followed by one in mid-2002 and the rest later. The Rs. 4,800- crore contract includes the cost of technology transfer. The funds for Sukhoi combat aircraft were spread over three plan periods, he said and dismissed as ``irresponsible'' reports that procurement of cheap spares had resulted in several MiG aircraft accidents. He denied any contract or negotiations on acquiring the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, and said the Price Negotiating Committee was yet to arrive at a price for purchase of the Advance Jet Trainer, which had now become a ``single vendor syndrome''.

`Not Pak-centric'

The Government, he said, was not Pakistan-centric in approach and cited efforts made to improve relations with neighbouring countries during the last three years. New Delhi was not convinced of China's stand that it was supplying arms to Pakistan in accordance with international laws.

Much heat was generated both during the discussion and after the Minister's reply over the Government's approach towards madrasas and reports that some of them were being used by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. The Minister clarified the Government's stand and agreed with some members' suggestion that support of Muslim members and community leaders could be enlisted to counter, if reports of some madrasas being used to encourage terrorist activities were true.

Vice-Admiral Arun Prakash tipped for post

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