He told Vilas Muttemwar that a proper assessment had been made by the government and steps initiated to ensure that the three armed forces were able to discharge their duties efficiently and effectively in view of the new scenario.

Fernandes assured the member that the Navy was also fully capable of discharging its duties in the new situation.

He, however, agreed with Muttemwar that some Naval ships had retired after completing their life span and some others were on the verge of retirement, but asserted that adequate force levels were maintained either through indigenous construction of ships or through import for urgent requirements.Muttemwar said only 50 per cent of the 136 ships with the Navy were use-worthy.

The member also said the elite National Defence College (NDC)had made an assessment in the wake of the Pokhran nuclear explosions and made certain suggestions. He wanted to know whether the government had initiated steps on the recommendations of the assessment made by the NDC.

Muttemwar also wanted to know whether the Navy had a major role to play as India was covered with vast high sea areas.

Fernandes asserted that proposals regarding induction of new technology in the Indian Navy are continually under processing in line with the role of the Navy to safeguard India's maritime interests.

He said induction of new technology in the Naval forces which is an on-going exercise, is executed either through new technology bought from abroad or through indigenously developed sources. The government has taken into consideration the desirability of inducting new technologies in the field of weaponary/missile systems, information technology system etc, suitable to the requirements of Indian Navy while acquiring/indigenously constructing various categories ofwarships.

No defence pact signed during US Army chief's visit: No agreement on defence cooperation was signed during US Army chief general Dennis J Reimer's visit to India in April this year. Fernandes told Asim Bala CPI(M) in a written reply that the US general's visit was a ceremonial and goodwill tour during which he called on the defence minister, defence secretary, foreign secretary and chiefs of staff of the three services.

Only few missiles imported in 1994 misfired: Out of a number of missiles procured from abroad in 1994, a few misfired. Fernandes told Motilal Vora (Cong) in a written reply that the reasons for the misfire are being investigated.

Ammunitition: Out of 7.18 lakh rounds supplied to Air Force by the Khamaria ordnance factory up to 1993, 96,683 rounds of ammunitiion valued at Rs 2.53 crore were declared unfit for the intended use of training of aircrew on fighter aircraft. He said the IAF has subsequently cleared the use of these cartridges for the training ofair crew from IL-76 aircraft.

5,036 defence personnel killed while on duty: As many as 5,036 defence personnel, including 272 officers, were killed while on duty during 1995-97, Fernandes said. Dependents of the defence personnel who were killed on duty have been given financial benefits including liberalised family pension, death gratuity, ex-gratia payment and special family pension, besides compassionate appointments, he said in a written answer.

Anomalies: The Ajit Kumar committee considered anomalies in pay and allowances of the armed forces personnel arising out of the Fifth Central Pay Commission recommendations including the disparity in ground duty engineering staff and pilots of Indian Air Force and submitted its report, he said. Appropriate action would be taken after due consideration, the minister said.

Pension: Orders for revision of pension of pre-January 1, 1986 retirees from armed forces have been issued, he said, adding orders have also been issued for disbursingmedical allowance to armed forces/family pensioners as is being done in case of civil pensioners.

Production of Lakshya begins: Production of the indigenous pilotless target aircraft (PTA), Lakshya, has begun and two PTAs are scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force by next month. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has undertaken limited series production of PTA to meet the urgent requirement of Air Force, Navy and Army, Fernandes said in a written reply. The technology is also being transferred to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the bulk production agency, to meet further requirements of the three services, he said.

Frigates: Projects for indigenous production of frigates by Mazgaon Dock Ltd and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd have been delayed resulting in manifold increase in their costs, he said. The time over-run is expected to be from one to three years, while the cost over-run of these projects has been substantial on account of delay in receipt ofspecialised equipment and creation of necessary infrastructure in shipyards and labour unrest, he said.

Funds: The funds allocated during 1997-98 could not be fully utilised under Army grant due to lesser outgo under pay and allowances than anticipated for implementation of 5th Pay Commission report and non-resolution of dispute and discussion relating to a few contracts, he said.

Airlines-cost: As many as 29 domestic flights of Indian Airlines and six on international routes did not meet cash cost during 1997-98, civil aviation minister Ananth Kumar said. In a written reply, he said as a result of reviews undertaken, frequencies of services on certain sectors were revised, aircraft were changed or flights were combined.

Travel agents: Indian Airlines has initiated legal proceedings against 39 travel agents to recover Rs 2.69 crore that are owed to the national carrier, Ananth Kumar said. Against some of the defaulting travel agents, bank guarantees were being invoked and in othercases the matter had been referred to the Airport Authority of India.

Rail coaches: The railways have decided to induct new generation coaches replacing existing passenger coaches, minister of state for railways Ram Naik said in another reply. Every year more than 2,000 new coaches are inducted to the system, besides 24 German coaches coming under a supply contract, the minister said.

Increase income from Konkan rly to pay back loans: Congress member T Subbarami Reddy demanded that the Centre should take urgent steps to increase rail traffic in the Konkan railway sector in order to increase income to pay back loans generated through public issues.

India to participate in Trans-Asian railway link: India has agreed to participate in the Trans-Asian railway link to connect Europe and South-East Asia via Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar Thailand and Malaysia.

Eurotrain: Indian railways has approved the Eurotrain International Explorer Pass Scheme entitling foreigntourists visiting India with the pass to exchange it for Indrail pass for travel on Indian railway trains and permitting the pass holder unlimited travel, he said.

Coaches: Government has augmented the load of 40 trains including four Rajdhanis, six Shatabdis and several other express trains, the minister said.Damages: The damage to railway property in the recent cyclone in Gujarat and Rajasthan has amounted to Rs 23.37 crore.