Chidambaram blames Pak for defence expenses

Puducherry, Apr 11: Home Minister P Chidambaram has asserted that Rs 1,47,000 crore for defence budget was necessary as neighbours like Pakistan did not have a friendly attitude towards the country.

Addressing a meeting on Saturday night, Apr 10, Chidambaram said, "Had the neighbouring countries been stable, peaceful and were oriented in a friendly manner towards India, our allocation of such a big fund for defence in the budget would not have arisen."

Chidambaram, referring to internal security, said the budget for the current fiscal is expected to be Rs 40,000 crores to address the requirements of paramilitary forces and the police.

"Terrorists, divisive forces and Naxals are on the prowl fomenting violence by exploiting and intimidating the poor and have-nots and more particularly the tribal people," he said.

He also added that allocating such amount becomes necessary "to manage the machinations of these elements."

OneIndia News