Union Budget 2021 gives big push for modernised military resources amid tensions along LAC

Bearing in mind growing tension along borders with China, government has me a big push towards upgring resources through military modernisation. For this, Centre has allocated a defence budget of Rs 4.78 lakh crore for year 2021-22, with a significant rise towards capital expenditure.

budget allocated for capital expenditure is Rs 21,326 crore, a rise of 18.75% from previous year. total budget of Rs 4.78 lakh crore also includes defence pensions, which is a 1.48% hike from Rs 4.71 lakh crore last year.

Excluding pensions amounting to Rs 1.16 crore, defence budget for 2021-22 stands at Rs 3.62 lakh crore, marking a 7.34% rise from last year’s Rs 3.37 lakh crore. jump in capital allocation will give a push towards procurement of new and modern equipment for guarding borders.

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Last year, armed forces me emergency procurement of weapons and mobilise a massive 50,000 soldiers with ammunition along Line of Actual Control (LAC). As China moved its troops to alter status quo along LAC in Eastern Lakh, high-altitude gears, missiles and armaments were sent along border on an emergency basis. Air Force h also mobilised its strategic assets near LAC.

Defence Ministry in its statement on increase in capital allocation said: “This is highest ever increase in capital outlay for defence in last 15 years.” 

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Opposition criticises Defence expenditure

Despite a significant increase in defence budget expenditure, Opposition continued to taunt Centre for t "spending eugh" on defence in midst of growing threat on borders.

Reacting to Union Budget tabled in Parliament on Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said vital sector of Defence h t been equately dressed despite growing border threat from China and Pakistan. 

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Former Finance Minister and Congress leer P Chidambaram claimed that Union Budget was a let down like never before. Pointing out that Defence sector did t find a mention in Budget, he said it was unprecedented that Defence expenditure was increased only by Rs 4,000 crores.

"Defence expenditure increased only by Rs 4000 crores but mentions a reduction in pensions. With Defence expenditure and health care expenditure government has failed people," he said at a press conference. 

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