New Delhi August 15:
            Defence Minister A K Antony said India would continue to strive for peaceful relations with all its neighbours and sought to allay misunderstandings by some nations about the security measures taken.
In his Independence Day message, the Defence Minister said India's rising economic stature had brought with it several challenges to the nation's security which are varied and manifold. He said the developments in and around neighbourhood had forced the ccountry to review and upgrade the security apparatus.
''The security measures taken by us are often misunderstood by some nations. However, we have always been a peace-loving nation and we will continue to strive for peaceful relations with all our neighbours,'' he said. He said that although the pressure on the Armed Forces personnel was tremendous, the need for exercising maximum restraint could not be over-emphasised.
''I wish to stress that any instance of human rights violation anywhere would not be tolerated,'' he warned. The Defence Minister said that post 26/11, India had taken several steps to strengthen the security apparatus, particularly along the coastline. The government had cleared the setting up of four air enclaves at Goa, Kochi, Vizag and New Mangalore. Coastal security had been strengthened, with acquisitions of new systems and platforms.
Pointing out that Armed Forces all over the world were modernising and becoming technology-intensive, he assured the Defence forces that the modernisation plans were on the right track. ''We want to give our Armed Forces the latest and the best possible equipment. We would like the modernisation process to proceed hand-in-hand with indigenisation.'' He said the success in the development of the indigenous nuclear submarine - INS Arihant must be replicated in other fields too.
The governent had accorded top priority to creating infrastructure and build all-weather roads in inaccessible areas. The Border Roads Organization had been given the responsibility of constructing the Rohtang tunnel which would ensure that the remote areas in the northern region, which remained inaccessible for over six months, would now be connected and made accessible throughout the year. The Rohtang tunnel would be the longest tunnel in the country at such a high altitude.
He said that during his visit to Siachen in June this year, the jawans had raised the problems and difficulties being faced by them. ''Some of you wanted better quality socks and more snowmobiles for operational requirements. Some of you requested reduced telephone rates for better communication with your family members. I have directed the concerned officials and departments to take immediate remedial action.''
The Defence Minister said the Government had taken several welfare measures for the Defence personnel and was making efforts to improve the quality of atta, rice, vegetables, tea, pulses and other items. Similarly, the government had made a provision for special rations to troops deployed in counter-insurgency operations. Special rations had also been authorised for additional troops serving in high-altitude areas, specifically above 12,000 feet.
A pilot project had been launched at 20 locations across the country for rail e-ticketing. With this facility, the system of railway warrants would be replaced and Armed Forces personnel would be able to book and print e-tickets through IRCTC websites at unit locations. This project would be gradually extended to more than 5,000 Army, Air Force and Navy units across the country. He said the government was trying to ensure that there are no procedural delays in pension-related cases of ex-servicemen.
Some Armed Forces personnel were retained in service, despite a disability that is attributed, or aggravated by military service, who forego a lump-sum compensation in lieu of the disability. ''Keeping in view their valour and sacrifice, it has been decided to grant them a disability element, or war injury element, at the time of their retirement, or discharge, in addition to the retiring/service pension or retiring/service gratuity.'' On the other hand, in case of pensioners who retire on disability pension, a decision had been taken to pay them a Constant Attendant at the rate of Rs 3,000 per month, in addition to the disability pension.
The government had also granted permanent commission to women in non-combatant roles, he said and called for full cooperation from the Armed Forces in taking forward all such welfare schemes to their logical conclusion. In an effort to further improve the living conditions of jawans, he said the Government had laid special emphasis on Married Accommodation Project (MAP). Under the project, a total of 1,98,881 Dwelling Units would be constructed in four phases.