No restriction on Republic Day Parade: Govt

New Delhi, Dec 13 (UNI) The government today denied that it had placed any restrictions on display of military capabilities by the Armed Forces, saying such events were essential to reinforce confidence of the nation in the country's defence preparedness.

''We have not imposed any restrictions on the Services to display their full military might. We have only reduced the Republic Day Parade from three hours to one hour 45 minutes,'' Defence Minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha.

Advancing another rationale for the holding of such scintillating events, Mr Antony said these were intended to motivate the youth to join the armed forces.

''There is no question of postponing the annual parades because it is a national demand,'' he said, adding that efforts would be made to minimise the inconvenience of people, particularly in the national capital, on account of holding of such events.

The minister said rehearsal parades were being held only on weekends and holidays.

Mr M S Gill (Cong), however, objected to the parades by armed forces, saying display of the military might every year with ''outdated weapons'' served little purpose.

''It is only in India and Pakistan that military parades are organised every year. The US does not do it on a regular basis.

Besides, it destroys the greenery of India Gate area and is also a major irritant for people because of traffic diversions,'' he argued.

The minister, however, stuck to his guns, saying the government would make progressive efforts to minimise the problems of the citizenry.

However, this should not become a ground for abrogating the parade altogether, he asserted.

Mr Antony also said the preparations by all the participating agencies for the coming Republic Day celebrations were in full swing.

Replying to a query from Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), the minister accepted incidents of 'fragging' (fratricidal killing) among the armed forces and other psychological problems.

He said a committee, headed by Dr Mandal, chairman of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), had been set up to examine the issue. ''Once we get the report, we will act on it.'' UNI SKS Vd DB1236