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Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar seen addressing the BJP Vijay Sankalp Mahamelava organised by the Fatorda BJP on Saturday. Santosh Mirajker
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No artillery guns purchases over past 30 years
since Bofors scandal: Parrikar
Contract for self-propelled mortar guns in two months: Parrikar
Credit for surgical strike goes to army, we only took decision, he
says
THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
At the BJP Vijay Sankalp Mahamelava oganised by the Fatorda BJP Mandal, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar charged the erstwhile Congress government of not making any purchases of artillery guns for the past 30 years, ever since Bofors scandal hit the country in the year 1986. He said things have now been set right on this front ever since he took over as the Defence Minister, whereby he claimed to have inducted 400 artillery guns in the army.
Elaborating further on the state of defence in the country, Parrikar also said contract for self-propelled guns will be awarded within two months.
He also informed that it was the Defence Ministry of the current BJP government which inducted the Tejas light aircraft into the air force. “This plan was on the drawing board for the past 30 years,” he told those gathered.
In the same breath, he also reminded them that credit for the surgical strike goes to the army. “You have to compliment the army for the surgical strike. We only took the decision,” he remarked.
On demonetisation, Parrikar claimed that the Prime Minister, in one stroke, managed to strike at the very base of terror funding and drug money.
The Defence Minister, who was the former chief minister of the State, recounted the schemes formulated by the BJP government in the State. He said despite the revenue of Rs 1100 crore accrued to the State government from mining being reduced to zero in 2012, the State government continued with the schemes. Citing the examples of schemes such as Laadli Laxmi and Griha Aadhar, Parrikar said these schemes have been formulated with an aim of improving the social conditions of the people. While Laadli Laxmi is to also correct the gender imbalance, Griha Aadhar is formulated to beat inflation which has an adverse effect on the household budget.
Coming down heavily on the call for instability given by an MLA in Fatorda, the Defence Minister said 'brokers' cannot afford stability. “If there is stability, there is no brokerage,” he told the audience.
Earlier, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar narrated the infrastructural developments undertaken by the State government in the form of colleges, bridges and roads. “The government undertakes all round development,” he remarked.
Others who addressed the gathering included AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaiker, Damu Naik and BJP president Vinay Tendulkar.
