The new demand is in addition to the annual budget that the government allocates for the army. The government has earmarked Rs 15.31 billion defense budget for the current fiscal. [break]
A government source told myrepublica.com that the strategic plan that aims at spending 47 percent of the proposed budget on purchasing aircraft, choppers and related equipment is mainly designed to improve NA´s capacity for quick actions by improving its air mobility.
The plan was presented by the top army brass to the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. It has sought resources to build two army airfields -- one each in Mid Western and Eastern regions -- and to install air traffic control and other necessary equipment.
"Yes, there was a presentation of the plan but we have not made any financial commitment," said Finance Minister Surendra Pandey. "There will be further discussion with the department concerned of the finance ministry in the coming months over the proposal," he said.
The plan seeks funds for
- two fixed-wing aircraft
- over a dozen choppers, and rifles
- land and construction of infrastructures
- construction of two army airfields
The entire additional budget has been demanded for capital expenditures and not for recurrent activities like fresh recruitment and raising rations, said the source.
Justifying the need to implement the plan, NA spokesperson Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri said the plan is aimed at improving quality, mobility and services as well as boosting the morale of the NA personnel and "for that we have floated short, medium and long-term plans".
In the past, he said, capital expenditures used to be just 5 to 7 percent of the total budget for the army and the amount has not even enough to meet the basic requirements of army hardware and supportive infrastructure.
The NA has also demanded budget to purchase 47,000 rifles that according to the plan will require to replace aging rifles over the next ten years. NA has mainly been using US made M16 and Indian INSAS rifles so far. Similarly, the NA is seeking recourses for purchasing Armed Personnel Carriers to improve its war tactics.
Of the proposed budget for the plan, the NA has demanded around Rs 26 billion to purchase of land and another around Rs 11 billion to construct buildings to lodge its personnel.
prem@myrepublica.com
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