ON TARGET

The change in allocation may not be substantive but is directed towards the right areas-border infra, hi-tech acquisitions

- PRADIP R. SAGAR

AT RS 6.21 LAKH CRORE, DEFENCE HAS GOT THE LARGEST—AROUND 13 PER CENT—SHARE OF THE BUDGET. The allocation also amounts to 1.9 per cent of the projected GDP, which has been more or less the same as last year. But as former army chief Gen. Ved Malik rued on X, “There is lack of appreciation of 2.5 front threats & modernisation requirements.” He was talking about preparing for a two-front war scenario with Pakistan and China, which experts say will need at least 2.5 per cent of the projected GDP.