UPA Govt. Criticized for National Security, Defense Shortcomings

New Delhi, Feb 9 (PTI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said national security was compromised, environmental clearances delayed and leadership failed during the previous Congress-led UPA government.

Replying to a debate in Lok Sabha on the White Paper on India's economy and its impact on the lives of people, Sitharaman said the UPA government indulged in "glaring mismanagement" of the defence sector and its highlight was the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland scam.

"Critical shortage of ammunition & defence equipment was the main feature of 2014 when we inherited the economy. Bullet proof jackets were not available for our soldiers. Night vision goggles were not available," Sitharaman said.

She said 'Jayanti Tax' during the UPA tenure delayed environment clearances for projects up to a year.

The average time to clear projects increased to 316 days from 86 days between 2011 and 2014.

She said 10 years of dedicated efforts of the Modi government have put the economy back on rails.

"We corrected all misgovernance, and focussed on reforms," Sitharaman said.

The minister said big ticket corruptions during the UPA tenure averaged one each year and common people were disillusioned.

The Modi government more than doubled defence budget to Rs 6.22 lakh crore for fiscal 2024-25, from Rs 2.53 lakh crore in 2013-14, she added.