Govt rapped over shortage of basic items for soldiers

The Standing Committee on Defence pulled up the Defence Ministry over the lack of basic items for soldiers guarding Indian frontiers.

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the Army has a shortage of 1,26,270 mosquito nets, 2,17,388 high ankle boots, 13,09,092 canvas shoes, 4,47,000 caps balaclava, 65,978 Durrie IT olive greens, besides other items. (Picture for representation only)

Other than shortage of vital equipment like artillery guns, ammunition and bullet-proof jackets, the Army is also suffering a massive shortage of basic items that make a soldier’s life comfortable like mosquito nets, boots, caps, clothes and high-altitude gear, according to a report presented in the Parliament.

The Standing Committee on Defence pulled up the Defence Ministry over the lack of basic items for soldiers guarding Indian frontiers.

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According to the report presented in Parliament Thursday, the Army has a shortage of 1,26,270 mosquito nets, 2,17,388 high ankle boots, 13,09,092 canvas shoes, 4,47,000 caps balaclava, 65,978 Durrie IT olive greens, besides other items.

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The committee expressed surprise over shortage of such basic items. “The committee is surprised over that such deficiencies of basic items of regular use where no high-end technology is warranted, was allowed to exist. Therefore, the committee desires that perspective planning should be done to foresee such deficiencies and pre-emptive action must be taken,” the Action Taken Report said.

The report included the Defence Ministry’s reply to the committee, “Action is at hand to ensure that the requirements of high-altitude clothing and equipment will be met by the procurement under way.” The committee called the ministry’s reply “vague and casual”.

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