Defence ministry not “wisely” spending funds: Chidambaram

The defence ministry is not spending the funds "wisely" enough and is not carrying proper maintenance of military assets, finance minister P Chidambaram said today.

Addressing the student wing of the Congress party, National Students Union of India (NSUI), Chidambaram insisted that the finance ministry was providing "a lot of money" to the defence ministry.

"I sincerely hope that the defence forces will learn a lesson and make sure that the money allotted to them is spent more wisely and more efficiently on essential matters."

Chidambaram was responding to a query on the recent Naval mishap involving submarine INS Sindhuratna by an NSUI member who claimed to be sister of one of victims. She wanted to know why the government was not increasing the provision of funds to the defence ministry (See: Navy chief Joshi resigns after new submarine disaster).

She also referred to the sinking of another submarine `INS Sindhurakshak' a few months ago and said the armed forces are getting a rough deal from the government.

"As far as defence expenditure is concerned, I think it is not correct to say that enough money is not being provided. There is no such thing as 'enough," Chidambaram said, adding that this time the defence ministry has received annual plan funding of Rs2,25,000, which is a "lot of money".

"Believe me, we have provided the maximum amount that we can," he insisted.