Ammunition production has increased by 18%: Manohar Parrikar

NEW DELHI: To address shortage of ammunition for army, their production has been increased by 18 per cent since last year, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.

The minister said that after taking charge he has taken the task of stream lining projects and financial planning for the same.

A CAG report on ammunition management had pointed out that the army faced a massive ammunition shortage with reserves that would barely last 20 days of intense fighting. The army needs to build up its war wastage reserves for 40 days of intense fighting.

"It is a 2013 rpt 2013 report. After taking over, we put this on priority and did a follow-up. The Ordinance Factory Board has seen an increase in the level of production by 18 per cent. This has improved the criticality level," the defence minister said.

Parrikar was speaking at a Maharashtra Majha conference, organised by Marathi news channel ABP Majha, to mark a year of the Narendra Modi government.

Apart from Parrikar, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Anant Geete, Minister for Heavy Industries, were also present at the event.

The defence minister stressed that financial planning was crucial for the projects announced.

"Since 2005, there were 339 different projects pending at various stages. I ordered the unwanted projects to be closed as they were designed in 2005 and analysed the remaining ones to ascertain which one should be taken forward," he said.

Parrikar also rubbished reports that he was upset with Prime Minister announcing government-to-government deal in case of buying the Rafale jets.

"I was very much on board when the decision was taken," Parrikar said.

In an another interactive session, Union Minister Gadkari batted for toll to provide better services.

The Minister for Surface Transport and Shipping said that 62 tolls have been cancelled in the country of which 16 are from Maharashtra.

"The concept of toll cannot end. If you want good services, you have to pay more. Toll has arisen out of compulsion. Government does not have money.

"When I was (PWD) minister (in Maharashtra), the budget for the department was Rs 1200 crore and work sanctioned was for over Rs 15,000 crore. Has there been no toll then perhaps the 55 flyovers in Mumbai would not have been completed in 20 years. Bandra-Worli sea link, Mumbai-Pune Expressway would not have taken place," he said.