Forces have enough resources, ammo, says Jaitley

New Delhi, August 11
Amid the ongoing standoff at Doklam with China, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday assured members of the Lok Sabha that defence forces had enough resources to face any eventuality.
He used the word ‘resources’ to answer a question of perceived shortage of ammunition with the Army.
Jaitley was replying to a query during Question Hour about a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) which expressed fears about the availability of ammunition not being at desired levels.
“Let there be no doubt about the availability of resources,” he said while adding that the CAG report being cited had data of a previous date and things had since changed. “The addition of new ammunition is a continuous process,” he said.
The CAG in its report tabled in both Houses on July 22 had cited data till September last year to say that there was shortage of ammunition.
Jaitley also assured the House that none of the Ordnance Factory Boards (OFBs) would be closed down. The OFB under the Ministry of Defence would continue to produce ammunition, he said.
He allayed fears expressed by members saying the invite to private players is to build a defence manufacturing base.