The newly-appointed Defence Minister in her three-hour visit met jawans and officers at the airbase
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday reached Uttarlai airbase in Barmer for a ground visit. The newly-appointed Defence Minister in her three-hour visit met jawans and officers at the airbase. Nirmala was given a guard of honour by Sukhoi Fighter crafts on her arrival.
Speaking to media, she said she would not comment about (a possibility of) war and added that all efforts towards enhancing the preparedness of the Armed Forces would be dealt with on priority. "Procuring arms and ammunition is a continuous process," she said.
Rubbishing the claims about India having just enough ammunition to last two days, the Defence Minister said that there was no shortage of ammunition in the country.
Speaking further on the issue she said, "Discussions are one thing and statements from persons who have the facts is totally another. People who have facts are not making these statements," she said. The Defence Minister said every asset required to enhance the preparedness of the forces would be procured, and that she would hold immediate meetings with the Prime Minister and the NSA to address all pressing issues related to procurement.
Addressing a query related to the country having a part-time defence minister before she took up, Nirmala said, "For two years, Manohar Parrikar was a full-time minister and even though Arun Jaitley had an additional charge, nothing was delayed. Records show that decisions were taken without delay. But there are many matters that have been pending for years."
Pull Quote: I will be available round the clock and take speedy, timely decisions. This is new for me. I have told the three chiefs to meet me for 15 minutes in the morning at 10 am whenever I am in Delhi. The meeting can be extended if pressing issues are at hand. In case a chief is not in town, his deputy should attend the meeting. I will hold a meeting with the Defence Secretary twice a week."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Nirmala Sitharaman")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}