The News Minute Editorial Team| June 25, 2014| 6.00 pm One month into power and government, India does not have a full-fledged Defence Minister (MOD).In the run up to government formation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the May 16th 2014 victory at the polls all eyes were riveted on who would lad the four key ministries of Foreign, Finance, Home and Defence. It came as no surprise that senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley was picked as Finance minister. The ministry has been mandated to turn a limping Indian economy around – an economy that has all but come to a standstill due to polices adopted by UPA 2. But, it did come as some surprise that Jaitley, a lawyer and key strategist who has crafted many BJP victories including the current one, was also additionally MOD. At the time of the swearing-in-ceremony, sources told The News Minute (TNM) that was a holding position which Modi would either take charge himself or assign someone else. Journalist and politician Arun Shourie’s name was in the ring to head that job at a time when India’s defence preparedness needs a fillip, morale is low and delays and scams in defence procurements have dogged the armed forces. Earlier this month, the three military chiefs made presentation to the Prime Minister on the state of play and media reports said they had been asked to categorise their needs as “urgent†or necessary.â€Media reports also stated that Army Chief Bikram Singh read the riot act as he took the PM through the dossier. The need to purchase artillery guns, assault rifles and attack helicopters was on the table. The Air Force is reported as having discussed combat jets and the need to finalize prolonged negotiations with the French aviation major Dassault Aviation for a $15 billion deal. The importance of the Indian Navy in a country three-quarters surrounded by water cannot be over-emphasized. The recent spate of naval accidents (Sindhurakshak, Sindhuratna) have only thrown up the fact that the navy is short of conventional submarines, its fleet of diesel powered submarines is down to a single digit and indigenous production in Indian shipyards are atleast four years behind schedule. During a recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, MOD Arun Jaitley said India was ready to take on any force in the world and that the preparedness of the Indian army was second to none. He also said long delays in defense procurement is a cause for concern and it is something that the government must address in a robust and swift way.Prime Minister Modi probably has a reason for not appointing an MOD. It would be helpful if he takes the nation into confidence especially at a time when India’s immediate and not so immediate neighbourhood is volatile. Both Finance and Defense portfolios are critical to India growth and security – they need separate and full attention. This is an assessment of fact and work at hand.