CDS post must await consensus

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the government was trying to build a consensus on the creation of the post of a Common Defence ...

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the government was trying to build a consensus on the creation of the post of a Common Defence Staff.

“I have taken up the issue with various parties, but unless a consensus is evolved, it would not be desirable to create the post,” Mukherjee said in an interview to a TV channel.

He said during the NDA rule, a Group of Ministers (GoM) had recommended the creation of the post, but the then government could not take a decision. “Hence, the government was now emphasising on more integrated defence services,” he said.

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On indigenisation and modernisation of forces, he said a number of global armament producing companies have shown interest in setting up units in India. He said this was because of technical skills of Indian workers, engineers and scientists and relatively less cost of labour.

The Defence Minister said he was encouraging private sector participation not only to enhance capabilities but also to reduce dependence on public exchequer.

On the involvement of the private sector, he said, “It is easier for the private sector to get defence technology from abroad as in most major countries, it is in private hands. Therefore, we are involving private sector in a big way.”

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