New Delhi:The
Army plans to reprioritise its
expenditures and defer some activities in the wake of an anticipated cut in the budget amid the Covid-19-induced crisis.
Activities such as movement of units from peace-to-peace locations could be postponed for a year.
While explaining that cuts may happen in the Army budget, Army Chief General
M M Naravane told ET that pays, allowances and operational expenditures will remain unaffected.
On defence expenditure and modernisation, Naravane said, We might have to take on some cuts, if they happen. We are seeing how we can work through it. But, if there is a cut, it won’t be across the board. Pays and allowances will will remain at 100%. We will see where these economies can be exercised.”
Naravane said economies will not be exercised where operational preparedness is concerned.
“We will prioritise and re-prioritise, but operational expenditure will be met in full...Operational efficiency and effectiveness will not be allowed to come down, no matter what our budgetary allocation,” he said.
Naravane explained there are areas where the Army could defer certain activities by a year or two and manage with whatever budget it finally gets. “We will manage with whatever we get by doing this reprioritisation.
To give an example, we have moves taking places, units move from peace to field and field to peace.
There are certain moves from peace to peace. So, maybe peace move,s we will not do this year. Not that it is not required, it is required, but it can be deferred. Similarly, some activities that can be deferred by a year without detriment to our operational efficiency, wll be looked into,” he said.