Armed forces should avoid 'wasteful expenditure': ak antony

Defence Minister AK Antony said the government will provide maximum possible support to the armed forces for modernisation but they should avoid 'wasteful expenditure'. Defence

Minister AK Antony on Saturday said the government will provide maximum possible support to the armed forces for modernisation but they should avoid "wasteful expenditure".

Addressing a navy function here, the minister said the defence budget is touching nearly Rs2 lakh crore but even in the present security scenario around the country, "we will not be

able to find resources as per the aspirations of the armed forces fully. "We will support you to the maximum extent but at the same time there is a possibility from your side to avoid,

I may say it is a little harsh word, wasteful expenditure and sometimes some expenditure that can be delayed a little time," he said. The Defence Minister was speaking after

inaugurating the navy Financial Information System (FIS), which he said "will enable more effective management of naval budget." "I hope other two services and all the other

departments of the Government of India will follow this timely and useful initiative of the Indian navy. I would like to congratulate the navy for taking this timely initiative," he

said. Antony said the FIS was a step in the series of measures to bring "more probity, accountability and transparency in our public dealings and financial transactions."

"There is also a need to overcome existing constraints and enhance integration of Central Defence Accounts (CDA) to ensure maximum utilisation of the FIS," he said.