Parrikar rules out Army deployment in anti-Naxal ops
BY M Post Bureau28 May 2015 12:13 AM GMT
M Post Bureau28 May 2015 12:13 AM GMT
Ruling out the possibility of deploying Army in anti-Naxal operations, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said if demanded, armed forces would extend "logistical support" and "provide training" to police in tackling the menace.
"Foreigners are not involved in it (<g data-gr-id="39">naxal</g> movement). We use Army where outside forces are involved. We use <g data-gr-id="34">army</g> against terrorists in Kashmir," Parrikar said in response to a query on whether Army would be roped against growing <g data-gr-id="40">naxalism</g> in Chhattisgarh. He added, "We can provide training and logistical support (to the paramilitary and local police) if demanded." Â
Parrikar was in the state capital to inaugurate Jankalyan Mela, an exhibition-cum-fair showcasing the achievements of Narendra <g data-gr-id="29">Modi-led</g> NDA government in the past one year.Â
Meanwhile, responding to Congress' criticism that the Centre was not taking a stand on 'One Rank-One Pension' policy, Parrikar said his government has made a concrete framework over it and it would be rolled out soon.
"Earlier (during the UPA rule) only assurances were given in this direction. For the first <g data-gr-id="47">time</g> it's us, who have made a concrete framework over OPOR scheme. Congress claimed that they had made <g data-gr-id="45">provision</g> of fund of Rs 500 crore. Then how did it lapse?<g data-gr-id="44">,</g>" he said. The Defence Ministry has forwarded a proposal in this direction which is more or less acceptable to everyone and very soon it would be declared, he added.
Reacting to Congress' ‘suit-boot ki sarkar’ jibe against the Modi government, Parrikar took a dig at Rahul Gandhi over his 56-days sabbatical. "A government should not be judged by its clothing, but it should be judged by its activities. He (Rahul) should tell what he was doing for 56 days in Thailand and what clothes he was wearing over there," he said.
Replying to a question on Rafale fighter jets deal with France, he said, "I would not like to comment on it unless everything is finalised." On Congress' opposition to the Land Acquisition Bill, he said, "Congress has been shouting much over the Land Bill. If you look at the UPA rule, they gave thousands of acres of farmers' land in <g data-gr-id="41">Congress ruled</g> states to private developers at throwaway prices in the name of SEZ."Â
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