Staff Reporter
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called upon the Armed Forces to be prepared for any challenge that may come their way as the dimensions of security are constantly changing in the evolving environment. Mr Singh assured the armed forces that the Government is ready and will continue to always meet their needs of and their loved members.
In his address on All India Radio to Armed Forces on the eve of Independence Day, the Defence Minister said that if non-violence is our ultimate duty, protecting integrity of the Nation is equally important and therefore, we are ready to sacrifice anything for unity and integrity of the Nation.
Mr Singh said the situation along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir remained under control in the last one year due to our vigilance and indomitable valour. He said, ceasefire violations have also come down since February 2021 and the infiltration from across the border has stopped due to vigilance of the Armed Forces and para-military forces. He said. in Eastern Ladakh, efforts are being made to resolve the differences on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) through dialogue with China. He said, the process of disengagement has been completed at some places.
The Defence Minister said that the Government of India has always been ready to meet their operational requirements. In the Union Budget for the financial year 2021-22, in a historic effort for modernisation of defence sector, Capital Outlay has been increased from 1.13 lakh crore rupees to 1.35 lakh crore rupees which is 18.75 per cent higher than the previous financial year. Mr Singh assured that the Government will take every step to protect the country.