A report tabled by Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India in the parliament has surfaced serious deficiencies in army supplies. As per the report, Indian troops stationed in challenging Siachen post are not well equipped.
The report further says that there are deficiencies in the provision of special clothing, rations, and housing for troops in high-altitude areas, including Siachen. “There were delays of up to four years in the procurement of high-altitude clothing and equipment, leading to an acute shortage of essential clothing and equipment” highlights the report.
Patrolling at the highest battlefield in the world our troops face a critical shortage of snow goggles, ranging from 62% to 98%. The troops had not been issued ‘multi-purpose boots’ from November 2015 to September 2016, and had to resort to the recycling of available boots as per the reports.
Talking further the report points that Indian National Defence University (INDU), proposed by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999 is “yet to fructify”. The report says that lack of research and development by defense laboratory and continued dependence on imports is a major reason for the shortage of critical supplies.
Also Read: Pakistan Declares National Emergency For This Reason
On the special rations authorized for troops in high-altitude areas to meet their daily energy needs, the CAG said substitutes for the scaled items were authorized on a “cost-to-cost’’ basis, and this resulted in the supply of a reduced quantity. “This compromised the calorie intake of the troops by as high as 82%.
Inputs from The Hindu
