hussain0216
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CAG flags lack of rations, gear for Indian soldiers in Siachen, Ladakh
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hussain0216
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And they want war?
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Indians are not fit for northern climates. Winter is especially harsh in Pakistan and Kashmir.
Go back to the hot jungles in the south.
Go back to the hot jungles in the south.
Foxtrot Delta
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In winter that place is true hell on earth . Cold hell
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soldiers in Siachen & Ladakh facing Pakistan, China not getting proper food & clothes: CAG report
NEW DELHI
February 04, 2020
The CAG also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units. This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions.
NEW DELHI: There has been an acute shortage of high altitude clothing including snow goggles and boots for troops deployed in Siachen and Ladakh, forcing them to procure old and recycled versions, the Comptroller and Auditor General said, adding that there was also inadequate special ration for these soldiers, affecting their calorie intake by 82 percent.
The CAG in a report tabled in Lok Sabha explained that a limited budget constrained the procurement of a certain type of high altitude clothing.
It also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units.
This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions. These details are based on a CAG audit from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
The audit found that there was a deficiency of 24 to 100 percent and 41 to 100 percent in Extreme Cold Clothing and Equipment (ECC&E) at two depots, where the Northern Command’s Army Headquarters Reserve of such items is stocked.
The Army Headquarters reserve caters for contingencies, dual task formations for both Pakistan and China fronts and movement of additional troops. Ladakh comes under the Northern Command. The ECC&E, consisting of boots, coats, goggles and sleeping bags, etc, is a type of high altitude clothing that is issued to troops deployed above 9,000 feet in Eastern Command and above 6,000 in other commands.
The defence ministry in its reply to the CAG in March last year explained that “budgetary constraints led to cuts in the quantity being procured”. It also said that the increase in the authorisation of the ECC&E sets by 64,131 in 2017 led to deficiency in the Army Headquarters reserve.
The audit also found significant deficiencies in the ECC&E items at two depots under Eastern Command. The defence ministry explained to the CAG that the deficiencies were in those items whose
procurements were delayed.
There was also a deficiency ranging from 15 to 98 percent in 18 items of the Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) for very high altitude areas such as Siachen. These included items such as head cap, socks, sleeping bag and face mask. “A huge quantity of life saving and essent
items...with expired shelf life were issued,” the CAG said.
“The audit noticed several instances of delay in procurement up to four years from the time of acceptance of necessity...Delayed procurement action... led to acute shortage of essential high altitude clothing and equipment items (HACE),” the CAG said.
HACE items such as face mask and sleeping bags of old specifications were procured. “Due to delays in procurement of boot multipurpose, users were supplied with recycled boots,” it said.
04-02-2020
The CAG also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units. This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions.
NEW DELHI: There has been an acute shortage of high altitude clothing including snow goggles and boots for troops deployed in Siachen and Ladakh, forcing them to procure old and recycled versions, the Comptroller and Auditor General said, adding that there was also inadequate special ration for these soldiers, affecting their calorie intake by 82 percent.
The CAG in a report tabled in Lok Sabha explained that a limited budget constrained the procurement of a certain type of high altitude clothing.
It also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units.
This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions. These details are based on a CAG audit from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
The audit found that there was a deficiency of 24 to 100 percent and 41 to 100 percent in Extreme Cold Clothing and Equipment (ECC&E) at two depots, where the Northern Command’s Army Headquarters Reserve of such items is stocked.
The Army Headquarters reserve caters for contingencies, dual task formations for both Pakistan and China fronts and movement of additional troops. Ladakh comes under the Northern Command. The ECC&E, consisting of boots, coats, goggles and sleeping bags, etc, is a type of high altitude clothing that is issued to troops deployed above 9,000 feet in Eastern Command and above 6,000 in other commands.
The defence ministry in its reply to the CAG in March last year explained that “budgetary constraints led to cuts in the quantity being procured”. It also said that the increase in the authorisation of the ECC&E sets by 64,131 in 2017 led to deficiency in the Army Headquarters reserve.
The audit also found significant deficiencies in the ECC&E items at two depots under Eastern Command. The defence ministry explained to the CAG that the deficiencies were in those items whose
procurements were delayed.
There was also a deficiency ranging from 15 to 98 percent in 18 items of the Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) for very high altitude areas such as Siachen. These included items such as head cap, socks, sleeping bag and face mask. “A huge quantity of life saving and essent
items...with expired shelf life were issued,” the CAG said.
“The audit noticed several instances of delay in procurement up to four years from the time of acceptance of necessity...Delayed procurement action... led to acute shortage of essential high altitude clothing and equipment items (HACE),” the CAG said.
HACE items such as face mask and sleeping bags of old specifications were procured. “Due to delays in procurement of boot multipurpose, users were supplied with recycled boots,” it said.
04-02-2020
On special ration the CAG said, “substitutes in lieu of scaled items were authorised on cost to cost basis, which resulted in supply of reduced quantity of substitutes. This compromised the calorie intake of the troops by as high as 82 per cent.”
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...n-siachen-ladakh-cag/articleshow/73910420.cms
NEW DELHI
February 04, 2020
The CAG also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units. This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions.
NEW DELHI: There has been an acute shortage of high altitude clothing including snow goggles and boots for troops deployed in Siachen and Ladakh, forcing them to procure old and recycled versions, the Comptroller and Auditor General said, adding that there was also inadequate special ration for these soldiers, affecting their calorie intake by 82 percent.
The CAG in a report tabled in Lok Sabha explained that a limited budget constrained the procurement of a certain type of high altitude clothing.
It also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units.
This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions. These details are based on a CAG audit from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
The audit found that there was a deficiency of 24 to 100 percent and 41 to 100 percent in Extreme Cold Clothing and Equipment (ECC&E) at two depots, where the Northern Command’s Army Headquarters Reserve of such items is stocked.
The Army Headquarters reserve caters for contingencies, dual task formations for both Pakistan and China fronts and movement of additional troops. Ladakh comes under the Northern Command. The ECC&E, consisting of boots, coats, goggles and sleeping bags, etc, is a type of high altitude clothing that is issued to troops deployed above 9,000 feet in Eastern Command and above 6,000 in other commands.
The defence ministry in its reply to the CAG in March last year explained that “budgetary constraints led to cuts in the quantity being procured”. It also said that the increase in the authorisation of the ECC&E sets by 64,131 in 2017 led to deficiency in the Army Headquarters reserve.
The audit also found significant deficiencies in the ECC&E items at two depots under Eastern Command. The defence ministry explained to the CAG that the deficiencies were in those items whose
procurements were delayed.
There was also a deficiency ranging from 15 to 98 percent in 18 items of the Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) for very high altitude areas such as Siachen. These included items such as head cap, socks, sleeping bag and face mask. “A huge quantity of life saving and essent
items...with expired shelf life were issued,” the CAG said.
“The audit noticed several instances of delay in procurement up to four years from the time of acceptance of necessity...Delayed procurement action... led to acute shortage of essential high altitude clothing and equipment items (HACE),” the CAG said.
HACE items such as face mask and sleeping bags of old specifications were procured. “Due to delays in procurement of boot multipurpose, users were supplied with recycled boots,” it said.
04-02-2020
The CAG also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units. This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions.
NEW DELHI: There has been an acute shortage of high altitude clothing including snow goggles and boots for troops deployed in Siachen and Ladakh, forcing them to procure old and recycled versions, the Comptroller and Auditor General said, adding that there was also inadequate special ration for these soldiers, affecting their calorie intake by 82 percent.
The CAG in a report tabled in Lok Sabha explained that a limited budget constrained the procurement of a certain type of high altitude clothing.
It also pointed out that a pilot project to improve housing conditions of troops in high altitude areas was not successful. It also said that it took more than a year for the formations to hand over the assets to the units.
This deprived the units of resources that were scant in the challenging climatic conditions. These details are based on a CAG audit from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
The audit found that there was a deficiency of 24 to 100 percent and 41 to 100 percent in Extreme Cold Clothing and Equipment (ECC&E) at two depots, where the Northern Command’s Army Headquarters Reserve of such items is stocked.
The Army Headquarters reserve caters for contingencies, dual task formations for both Pakistan and China fronts and movement of additional troops. Ladakh comes under the Northern Command. The ECC&E, consisting of boots, coats, goggles and sleeping bags, etc, is a type of high altitude clothing that is issued to troops deployed above 9,000 feet in Eastern Command and above 6,000 in other commands.
The defence ministry in its reply to the CAG in March last year explained that “budgetary constraints led to cuts in the quantity being procured”. It also said that the increase in the authorisation of the ECC&E sets by 64,131 in 2017 led to deficiency in the Army Headquarters reserve.
The audit also found significant deficiencies in the ECC&E items at two depots under Eastern Command. The defence ministry explained to the CAG that the deficiencies were in those items whose
procurements were delayed.
There was also a deficiency ranging from 15 to 98 percent in 18 items of the Special Clothing and Mountaineering Equipment (SCME) for very high altitude areas such as Siachen. These included items such as head cap, socks, sleeping bag and face mask. “A huge quantity of life saving and essent
items...with expired shelf life were issued,” the CAG said.
“The audit noticed several instances of delay in procurement up to four years from the time of acceptance of necessity...Delayed procurement action... led to acute shortage of essential high altitude clothing and equipment items (HACE),” the CAG said.
HACE items such as face mask and sleeping bags of old specifications were procured. “Due to delays in procurement of boot multipurpose, users were supplied with recycled boots,” it said.
04-02-2020
On special ration the CAG said, “substitutes in lieu of scaled items were authorised on cost to cost basis, which resulted in supply of reduced quantity of substitutes. This compromised the calorie intake of the troops by as high as 82 per cent.”
https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...n-siachen-ladakh-cag/articleshow/73910420.cms
Last edited:
Imran Khan
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Has CAG Siachen report exposed Modi govt’s muscular national security pitch as hollow?
The CAG has flagged acute shortage and inadequate reserve of equipment and rations for Army troops in high-altitude areas of Siachen, Ladakh and Doklam.
ThePrint Team 4 February, 2020 5:13 pm IST
Illustration: Soham Sen | ThePrint
Text Size:
The Comptroller and Auditor General has flagged acute shortage and inadequate reserve of equipment and rations for Army troops in high-altitude areas of Siachen, Ladakh and Doklam. The report for November 2015-September 2016 said troops’ calorie intake has fallen by 82 per cent. PM Narendra Modi’s BJP won the 2019 Lok Sabha election on the national security plank after Balakot airstrikes.
ThePrint asks: Has CAG Siachen report exposed Modi govt’s muscular national security pitch as hollow?
15th Finance Commission’s plans for a non-lapsable fund for defence sector will streamline Army finances
Deepender Singh Hooda
Former Army Commander, Northern Command
The CAG report raises some serious issues but budgetary cut in military expenditure is nothing new. I see two main problems: low budgetary allocation to the defence sector and tardy procurement procedure.
A stressed budget has an added effect on the lack of funds when it comes to procuring special clothing, high-altitude gear etc. Since the Kargil War, commanders, vice chiefs and senior Army personnel have been given additional financial powers but this has not been adequate.
In 2015, when there was a massive influx of troops into the northern and eastern commands due to new raisings, the Army dipped into its reserves and emergency provisions for rations. This shows that a regular system of procurement and adequate budgetary allocation are required.
The procurement procedure is a sorry state of affairs because delays can go up to four years. The Ministry of Defence and the Army headquarters, in charge of the procurement, should share the blame. Sitting in Delhi, they lack sensitivity towards troops on the ground. This attitude needs to change.
We should also not get the impression that Indian troops battling extreme winter conditions are not being provided for. They are but it is usually out of the reserves and emergency provisions like the Army Commander’s special financial powers. I think the 15th Finance Commission’s plans for a non-lapsable fund for the defence sector will help streamline Army finances.
If there was a will to truly address these issues, pointed out year on year, then they would be scrutinised by various committees
Ratna Viswanathan
Former civil servant, Ministry of Defence
The CAG has been flagging issues of non-procurement of essential items – whether clothing, equipment or ration – for a very long time. It is a part of the regular audit reportage by Director General of Audit, Defence Services.
Every annual review throws up instances of under-utilisation of budgets, delayed or faulty procurement, or procurement that become redundant due to procedural delays. If people were to look at the CAG’s Report on Defence every year, then they will find similar issues. And this is not specific to any particular government. Such issues are, however, highlighted when politically expedient.
If there was a will to truly address these issues, pointed out year on year, then they would be scrutinised by various committees set up to review and modernise the armed forces. Linking it to the government’s stated position on force engagement is not the only criteria.
What is relevant is that successive governments take cognisance of the CAG’s annual report on defence and acting on the findings and recommendations of such reports in a focussed, systematic way. Politicising such issues is not going to provide a lasting solution. They are systemic shortcomings that need to be addressed by both the senior management in the armed forces and the government for an effective resolution.
Budget constraints will keep Army’s hands tied when soldiers’ living conditions in Siachen need improvement
Yusuf T. Unjhawala
Editor, Defence Forum India
The CAG report is telling on the budgetary allocation to defence, which has steadily declined in the last few years and reached its lowest as a percentage of GDP since the 1962 war with China. Due to a struggling economy, the government had to juggle between development projects, political compulsions and defence. Even a nationalist government’s first priority is development rather than defence. All three wings of the armed forces have struggled for funds. This hurts both the military’s modernisation plans and operational readiness.
The CAG report on Siachen is not surprising. The reason for non-procurement of the requisite equipment is budget constraints. In fact, the allocation in Budget 2020 barely covers inflation and currency depreciation. In fact, the Indian Air Force has seen its allocation for capital expenditure drop by Rs 1,600 crore.
In Siachen, the Army has done remarkably well to reduce casualties through better technology, training and operating procedures. India had lost 24 soldiers in Siachen to weather in 2011, which came down to five in 2015 as per government reply in the Lok Sabha.
But there is still room for improvement in terms of equipment, living conditions, food and the ability to survive the dreaded avalanches. And budget constraints will continue to tie the Army’s hands.
As Gen Ved Prakash Malik had said during the 1999 Kargil War, the Army will fight with whatever it has. Unfortunately, little has changed since then.
Budget constraint is entirely a self-imposed misery because of Army’s inability to thump the table
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd)
Former GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, associated with the Vivekananda International Foundation and the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
The CAG report highlights deficiencies in special clothing and mountaineering equipment (SCME) meant primarily for Siachen glacier, extreme cold clothing and equipment (ECC&E) used in other high-altitude areas, and inadequate special rations.
The first two, which are essential for the survival of soldiers in winter conditions, have a life duration and are usually recycled as ‘part worn serviceable’ (PWS) for maximum economy. Even 10 years ago, there would be an inevitable shortage of snow boots each year and panic would follow. Without serviceable snow boots, survival under extant climatic conditions is almost impossible and unserviceable recycled ones will lead to untold misery for troops.
Availability of such gear and budgetary support for timely procurement are key. The first can be achieved through imports but indigenous manufacturing cannot be put on the back foot either. The budget constraint is largely a self-imposed misery because of the inability of the Army leadership to thump the table. Bureaucratic oversight is also accountable.
This really has little to do with the Narendra Modi government’s ‘muscular’ national security policy since counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency deployment consume only a small portion of the resources. It’s the conventional domain of border security that governments of the past and the present don’t seem to appreciate. Special rations have seen cuts due to poor budgetary allocation — the lowest one since 1962. And I don’t think the situation is likely to improve.
India has extremely low human capital. CAG report shows that in terms of priorities, tank comes before soldier
https://theprint.in/talk-point/has-...lar-national-security-pitch-as-hollow/359515/
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra
Senior fellow, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
The CAG’s findings are nothing new and simply bring to light systemic issues that come up every year. It exposes how naive the Kargil Review Committee’s recommendations were.
The KRC continued the glorious Indian habit of ignoring solutions and pronouncing vague generalities, and adding bureaucratic layers. This was evident a few years ago, when an ammunition shortage was also noticed and reported by the CAG but nothing systemic was done to fix that. All three services have a discretionary funding budget of Rs 300 crore, as does the defence secretary, and the Defence Minister has up to Rs 1,000 crore. The question is: why does the Army never prioritise these purchases and instead prefer large, big-ticket items?
It’s simple really. We are a third-world country with extremely low human capital. The military (including the defence bureaucracy) is a microcosm of India and has extremely little human value addition. We spend on equipment but not on human beings. Most of the shortages listed by the CAG reflect the reality that, on the list of priorities, the soldier is below the tank.
That said, let’s be clear the CAG & KRC were also afflicted by low human capital. So, it’s a vicious cycle of low quality problem identification, low quality recommendation and low quality solutions. The CAG just has to make the best of it.
The CAG has flagged acute shortage and inadequate reserve of equipment and rations for Army troops in high-altitude areas of Siachen, Ladakh and Doklam.
ThePrint Team 4 February, 2020 5:13 pm IST
Illustration: Soham Sen | ThePrint
Text Size:
The Comptroller and Auditor General has flagged acute shortage and inadequate reserve of equipment and rations for Army troops in high-altitude areas of Siachen, Ladakh and Doklam. The report for November 2015-September 2016 said troops’ calorie intake has fallen by 82 per cent. PM Narendra Modi’s BJP won the 2019 Lok Sabha election on the national security plank after Balakot airstrikes.
ThePrint asks: Has CAG Siachen report exposed Modi govt’s muscular national security pitch as hollow?
15th Finance Commission’s plans for a non-lapsable fund for defence sector will streamline Army finances
Former Army Commander, Northern Command
The CAG report raises some serious issues but budgetary cut in military expenditure is nothing new. I see two main problems: low budgetary allocation to the defence sector and tardy procurement procedure.
A stressed budget has an added effect on the lack of funds when it comes to procuring special clothing, high-altitude gear etc. Since the Kargil War, commanders, vice chiefs and senior Army personnel have been given additional financial powers but this has not been adequate.
In 2015, when there was a massive influx of troops into the northern and eastern commands due to new raisings, the Army dipped into its reserves and emergency provisions for rations. This shows that a regular system of procurement and adequate budgetary allocation are required.
The procurement procedure is a sorry state of affairs because delays can go up to four years. The Ministry of Defence and the Army headquarters, in charge of the procurement, should share the blame. Sitting in Delhi, they lack sensitivity towards troops on the ground. This attitude needs to change.
We should also not get the impression that Indian troops battling extreme winter conditions are not being provided for. They are but it is usually out of the reserves and emergency provisions like the Army Commander’s special financial powers. I think the 15th Finance Commission’s plans for a non-lapsable fund for the defence sector will help streamline Army finances.
If there was a will to truly address these issues, pointed out year on year, then they would be scrutinised by various committees
Former civil servant, Ministry of Defence
The CAG has been flagging issues of non-procurement of essential items – whether clothing, equipment or ration – for a very long time. It is a part of the regular audit reportage by Director General of Audit, Defence Services.
Every annual review throws up instances of under-utilisation of budgets, delayed or faulty procurement, or procurement that become redundant due to procedural delays. If people were to look at the CAG’s Report on Defence every year, then they will find similar issues. And this is not specific to any particular government. Such issues are, however, highlighted when politically expedient.
If there was a will to truly address these issues, pointed out year on year, then they would be scrutinised by various committees set up to review and modernise the armed forces. Linking it to the government’s stated position on force engagement is not the only criteria.
What is relevant is that successive governments take cognisance of the CAG’s annual report on defence and acting on the findings and recommendations of such reports in a focussed, systematic way. Politicising such issues is not going to provide a lasting solution. They are systemic shortcomings that need to be addressed by both the senior management in the armed forces and the government for an effective resolution.
Budget constraints will keep Army’s hands tied when soldiers’ living conditions in Siachen need improvement
Editor, Defence Forum India
The CAG report is telling on the budgetary allocation to defence, which has steadily declined in the last few years and reached its lowest as a percentage of GDP since the 1962 war with China. Due to a struggling economy, the government had to juggle between development projects, political compulsions and defence. Even a nationalist government’s first priority is development rather than defence. All three wings of the armed forces have struggled for funds. This hurts both the military’s modernisation plans and operational readiness.
The CAG report on Siachen is not surprising. The reason for non-procurement of the requisite equipment is budget constraints. In fact, the allocation in Budget 2020 barely covers inflation and currency depreciation. In fact, the Indian Air Force has seen its allocation for capital expenditure drop by Rs 1,600 crore.
In Siachen, the Army has done remarkably well to reduce casualties through better technology, training and operating procedures. India had lost 24 soldiers in Siachen to weather in 2011, which came down to five in 2015 as per government reply in the Lok Sabha.
But there is still room for improvement in terms of equipment, living conditions, food and the ability to survive the dreaded avalanches. And budget constraints will continue to tie the Army’s hands.
As Gen Ved Prakash Malik had said during the 1999 Kargil War, the Army will fight with whatever it has. Unfortunately, little has changed since then.
Budget constraint is entirely a self-imposed misery because of Army’s inability to thump the table
Former GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, associated with the Vivekananda International Foundation and the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
The CAG report highlights deficiencies in special clothing and mountaineering equipment (SCME) meant primarily for Siachen glacier, extreme cold clothing and equipment (ECC&E) used in other high-altitude areas, and inadequate special rations.
The first two, which are essential for the survival of soldiers in winter conditions, have a life duration and are usually recycled as ‘part worn serviceable’ (PWS) for maximum economy. Even 10 years ago, there would be an inevitable shortage of snow boots each year and panic would follow. Without serviceable snow boots, survival under extant climatic conditions is almost impossible and unserviceable recycled ones will lead to untold misery for troops.
Availability of such gear and budgetary support for timely procurement are key. The first can be achieved through imports but indigenous manufacturing cannot be put on the back foot either. The budget constraint is largely a self-imposed misery because of the inability of the Army leadership to thump the table. Bureaucratic oversight is also accountable.
This really has little to do with the Narendra Modi government’s ‘muscular’ national security policy since counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency deployment consume only a small portion of the resources. It’s the conventional domain of border security that governments of the past and the present don’t seem to appreciate. Special rations have seen cuts due to poor budgetary allocation — the lowest one since 1962. And I don’t think the situation is likely to improve.
India has extremely low human capital. CAG report shows that in terms of priorities, tank comes before soldier
https://theprint.in/talk-point/has-...lar-national-security-pitch-as-hollow/359515/
Senior fellow, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
The CAG’s findings are nothing new and simply bring to light systemic issues that come up every year. It exposes how naive the Kargil Review Committee’s recommendations were.
The KRC continued the glorious Indian habit of ignoring solutions and pronouncing vague generalities, and adding bureaucratic layers. This was evident a few years ago, when an ammunition shortage was also noticed and reported by the CAG but nothing systemic was done to fix that. All three services have a discretionary funding budget of Rs 300 crore, as does the defence secretary, and the Defence Minister has up to Rs 1,000 crore. The question is: why does the Army never prioritise these purchases and instead prefer large, big-ticket items?
It’s simple really. We are a third-world country with extremely low human capital. The military (including the defence bureaucracy) is a microcosm of India and has extremely little human value addition. We spend on equipment but not on human beings. Most of the shortages listed by the CAG reflect the reality that, on the list of priorities, the soldier is below the tank.
That said, let’s be clear the CAG & KRC were also afflicted by low human capital. So, it’s a vicious cycle of low quality problem identification, low quality recommendation and low quality solutions. The CAG just has to make the best of it.
Chhatrapati
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Imran Khan
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Soldiers in Siachen, Ladakh short on essential gear, clothing and rations: CAG report
Procurement of high-altitude clothing and equipment was delayed by up to four years, leading to acute shortage of such items, the audit report said.
A file photo of an Indian Army soldier at Siachen. | AFP
Soldiers deployed in high-altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh lack sufficient essential gear, clothing and rations, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India told Parliament on Monday.
During the audit period of 2015-’16 to 2017-’18, troops had to use old items instead of being given new improved ones, while lack of special rations compromised their calorie intake by as high as 82%, the auditor found. Procurement of high-altitude clothing and equipment was delayed by up to four years, leading to acute shortage of such items, the audit report said.
A “critical shortage” of between 62% to 98% was reported in snow goggles. “The troops were not issued multi-purpose boots from November 2015 to September 2016 and had to resort to recycling of available boots,” the report that was tabled in Parliament on Monday said.
“Further, old versions of items such as face mask, jacket and sleeping bags were procured which deprived the troops from the benefits of using improved products. Lack of research and development by defence laboratory led to continued dependence on import.”
In the case of ration, “substitutes in lieu of scaled items were authorised on ‘cost-to-cost’ basis, which resulted in supply of reduced quantity of substitutes”, the report said. “At Leh station in one instance it was noticed that the special ration items were shown as issued to troops for consumption without their actual receipt,” it said.
On housing, the report said that a project for improvement in housing conditions in high-altitude area was executed in “an ad hoc manner”. “In the first two phases of pilot project extensive summer/winter trials were conducted,” the CAG report said. “The third phase constituted confirmatory trial, at a cost of Rs 63.65 crore. This was avoidable, since the first two phases were exhaustive.”
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“Further, the sanction by the competent authority for the main project was not obtained,” the report added. “Handing over assets created under pilot project to the units got delayed much beyond stipulated time frame, depriving users of resources which were already scant in challenging climatic conditions. There were discrepancies between the assets shown in Numerical Asset Register and assets on the ground.”
However, senior Army officials told Hindustan Times that the report was dated and claimed things had improved in the last two years.
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https://scroll.in/latest/952101/sol...ssential-gear-clothing-and-rations-cag-report
Procurement of high-altitude clothing and equipment was delayed by up to four years, leading to acute shortage of such items, the audit report said.
A file photo of an Indian Army soldier at Siachen. | AFP
Soldiers deployed in high-altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh lack sufficient essential gear, clothing and rations, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India told Parliament on Monday.
During the audit period of 2015-’16 to 2017-’18, troops had to use old items instead of being given new improved ones, while lack of special rations compromised their calorie intake by as high as 82%, the auditor found. Procurement of high-altitude clothing and equipment was delayed by up to four years, leading to acute shortage of such items, the audit report said.
A “critical shortage” of between 62% to 98% was reported in snow goggles. “The troops were not issued multi-purpose boots from November 2015 to September 2016 and had to resort to recycling of available boots,” the report that was tabled in Parliament on Monday said.
“Further, old versions of items such as face mask, jacket and sleeping bags were procured which deprived the troops from the benefits of using improved products. Lack of research and development by defence laboratory led to continued dependence on import.”
In the case of ration, “substitutes in lieu of scaled items were authorised on ‘cost-to-cost’ basis, which resulted in supply of reduced quantity of substitutes”, the report said. “At Leh station in one instance it was noticed that the special ration items were shown as issued to troops for consumption without their actual receipt,” it said.
On housing, the report said that a project for improvement in housing conditions in high-altitude area was executed in “an ad hoc manner”. “In the first two phases of pilot project extensive summer/winter trials were conducted,” the CAG report said. “The third phase constituted confirmatory trial, at a cost of Rs 63.65 crore. This was avoidable, since the first two phases were exhaustive.”
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“Further, the sanction by the competent authority for the main project was not obtained,” the report added. “Handing over assets created under pilot project to the units got delayed much beyond stipulated time frame, depriving users of resources which were already scant in challenging climatic conditions. There were discrepancies between the assets shown in Numerical Asset Register and assets on the ground.”
However, senior Army officials told Hindustan Times that the report was dated and claimed things had improved in the last two years.
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no food no clothes no shoes no ration not even sun glasses and using used shoes and want to capture pakistan in 10 days 
Siachen troops given poor gear: CAG
Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, February 04, 2020 05:06 IST
Updated: February 04, 2020 00:17 IST
more-in
Parliament proceedings
‘As old models were bought, they did not benefit from using improved items’
In a report tabled in Parliament on Monday, the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) pulled up the Army for deficiencies in the provision of special clothing, rations and housing for troops in high-altitude areas, including Siachen.
As for the Indian National Defence University (INDU), proposed by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999, the CAG said the institute was “yet to fructify”, even as the project cost had been revised from ₹395 crore to ₹4,007.22 crore, up 914%.
“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. There was 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,” the CAG said in the report on the performance audit of provisioning and procurement during the period from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Furthermore, as the old models of face mask, jacket and sleeping bags were procured, the troops did not get the benefit of using improved products.
Dependence on import
“Lack of research and development by defence laboratory led to a continued dependence on import,” the report said.
The INDU was recommended by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999 to address the deficiencies in India’s security management system. The Union Cabinet accorded in-principle approval in May 2010 for establishing it in Gurugram at an estimated cost of ₹395 crore. “The land was acquired in September 2012; however, the setting up of the INDU is yet to fructify even after two decades of the Kargil War,” the report said.
The cost of the project was also revised from ₹395 crore in May 2010 to ₹4007.22 crore in December 2017, an increase of 914%. The draft INDU legislation had been lying for approval with the Cabinet Secretariat since December 2017, the CAG said.
On the special rations authorised for troops in high-altitude areas to meet their daily energy needs, the CAG said substitutes for the scaled items were authorised 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%.”
Housing project
The housing project, aimed at improving the living conditions of the troops in high-altitude areas, was executed in an ad hoc manner.
In the first two phases of the pilot project, extensive summer and winter trials were conducted. The third phase constituted the confirmatory trial, at a cost of ₹63.65 crore, the report said. “This was avoidable, since the first two phases were exhaustive.”
The sanction was not obtained from the competent authority for the main project, and the handing over of the assets, created under the pilot project, to the units got delayed beyond the stipulated time. “There were discrepancies between the assets shown in the Numerical Asset Register and those on the ground,” the report said.
Siachen troops given poor gear: CAG
Special Correspondent NEW DELHI, February 04, 2020 05:06 IST
Updated: February 04, 2020 00:17 IST
more-in
Parliament proceedings
‘As old models were bought, they did not benefit from using improved items’
In a report tabled in Parliament on Monday, the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) pulled up the Army for deficiencies in the provision of special clothing, rations and housing for troops in high-altitude areas, including Siachen.
As for the Indian National Defence University (INDU), proposed by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999, the CAG said the institute was “yet to fructify”, even as the project cost had been revised from ₹395 crore to ₹4,007.22 crore, up 914%.
“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. There was 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,” the CAG said in the report on the performance audit of provisioning and procurement during the period from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Furthermore, as the old models of face mask, jacket and sleeping bags were procured, the troops did not get the benefit of using improved products.
Dependence on import
“Lack of research and development by defence laboratory led to a continued dependence on import,” the report said.
The INDU was recommended by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999 to address the deficiencies in India’s security management system. The Union Cabinet accorded in-principle approval in May 2010 for establishing it in Gurugram at an estimated cost of ₹395 crore. “The land was acquired in September 2012; however, the setting up of the INDU is yet to fructify even after two decades of the Kargil War,” the report said.
The cost of the project was also revised from ₹395 crore in May 2010 to ₹4007.22 crore in December 2017, an increase of 914%. The draft INDU legislation had been lying for approval with the Cabinet Secretariat since December 2017, the CAG said.
On the special rations authorised for troops in high-altitude areas to meet their daily energy needs, the CAG said substitutes for the scaled items were authorised 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%.”
Housing project
The housing project, aimed at improving the living conditions of the troops in high-altitude areas, was executed in an ad hoc manner.
In the first two phases of the pilot project, extensive summer and winter trials were conducted. The third phase constituted the confirmatory trial, at a cost of ₹63.65 crore, the report said. “This was avoidable, since the first two phases were exhaustive.”
The sanction was not obtained from the competent authority for the main project, and the handing over of the assets, created under the pilot project, to the units got delayed beyond the stipulated time. “There were discrepancies between the assets shown in the Numerical Asset Register and those on the ground,” the report said.
Chhatrapati
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Most men in the Indian army come from Haryana, UP, or Utk who have cold winters, Utk is snowy. It's ironic coming from Pakistanis who live in a desert climate talking about the tropical climate of South India
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hussain0216
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Most men in the Indian army come from Haryana, UP, or Utk who have cold winters, Utk is snowy. It's ironic coming from Pakistanis who live in a desert climate talking about the tropical climate of South India
Desert climate???
We have desert in parts of Balochistan and Sindh border
Most of eastern and northern and central Pakistan are plains, Valleys, reaching up to some of the highest mountains in the world
On another note
About 2 months ago India pulled out loads of soldiers and at the time people gave different reasons without realising that the majority of the Indian army has no ability to survive in these conditions
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