Allocations tend to be smaller if pie is small: Chidambaram on Rao's ourburst

Says competing demands from various departments result in some sectors getting shortchanged

After senior scientist and Bharat Ratna awardee CNR Rao's outburst against lack of adequate funding for science, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday said that competing demands from various departments result in some sectors getting shortchanged.

"If the pie is small... If there are competing demands, allocations tend to be smaller than what the sector deserves," Chidambaram told reporters after he was asked to comment on Rao's outburst.

The minister was speaking to reporters after the launch of the country's first bank devoted to women, the Bharatiya Mahila Bank.

"We are all concerned about the allocation for science and technology. If the pie is large, you can allot a large amount of money," Chidambaram said.

After the announcement of his name for Bharat Ratna, the veteran scientist had rued the fact that science and technology got inadequate funding.

"Why the hell these idiots, these politicians have given so little for us. In spite of that, we scientists have done something," Rao was quoted as having said.

Chidambaram, who centred his reply on the lack of resources, said multiple departments jostle for allotments, adding other departments like defence, rural development, health and education also ask for money.

"I have a rule of thumb. If every department complains that it has been allotted less money, that means I have allotted fairly," the Union Finance Minister, who has a record for announcing the largest number of budgets, said.