Indian Army is poorly fed and managed: PAC report

utubekhiladi

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An Army marches on its stomach, as the well-known adage goes, but the Indian Army troops have been supplied rations whose original Estimated Storage Life (ESL) had expired, a report of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) — tabled on Wednesday in Parliament — has concluded.

Finding "glaring deficiencies and inadequacies" in the supply chain management of rations in the Indian Army, the PAC also found that there was "highly non-competitive procurement procedure for fresh rations and deviation from the laid down norms of the tendering process".
In an indictment, the PAC report noted, "The Committee's examination of the subject has revealed ... poor satisfaction level of troops regarding quality, quantity and taste of rations and insufficient number of defence food labs for checking the quality of rations."
Meanwhile, in another report of the PAC on the Canteen Stores Department (CSD), the PAC noted that it was dismayed that the audit was denied access to the records of the unit-run canteens by the Army headquarters despite the issue of directions of the ministry of defence.

Army is poorly fed and managed: PAC report | Deccan Chronicle
 

W.G.Ewald

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PAC noted that it was dismayed that the audit was denied access to the records of the unit-run canteens by the Army headquarters despite the issue of directions of the ministry of defence.
I've heard some armies are unionized.
 

Ray

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The reason why the Shelf Life is extended is because people are worried that if it is not given, there will be a huge loss to the exchequer. It is not correct, but it is said to be done.

The problem is more in the High Altitude area where the Passes close down and so commodities have to be stored in excess in the event the Passes open late wherein there would be a shortage. Further, the commodities are stocked in the posts too so that in the event of a war and the post is isolated by enemy action, there is no shortage of food.

Of course, what I have stated is a very simplistic explanation because it is more complicated than can be explained in a post.

In so far as the standard of rations, given the rates allowed by the Controller of Defence Account, one does not get good quality. A PAU report states that only half of the vegetable issued is edible and thus after cutting away the poor parts the final quantity is much less.

In so far as satisfaction is concerned, the cooks are no cooks, even though today they are called Chefs! The training of cooks is also not ideal.

In so far as the Unit Run CSD is concerned, the profits (which are marginal) is used by the units, as per the stipulations contained in the Govt's rules contained in the Defence Services Regulations, for troops welfare. The bureaucrats have been eyeing it for a long time so that they somehow can get to control it and the Military is dead against the last bastion to be handed over to bureaucratic control.
 
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sesha_maruthi27

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This poor feeding of the troops is going on for years. No one has never done anything to improve the status of FOOD HYGIENE. All the Chief's of ARMY STAFF get V.S.M., P.V.S.M. and A.V.S.M. Awards for their service to the ARMY, but no one has ever tried to improve the quality of food for those who fight for our country.
 

Ray

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It has been tried, but those who control the finance have put their foot down. Therefore, to blame the Chief is not fair.

Then there is another aspect.

Let us say that the supply is mutton/ vegetable is rejected.

If that or vegetables are rejected, then one is to go to the local market at buy the stuff at the contractor's risk and purchase i.e. the contractor has to foot the bill. However, to get the right rate before purchase, one has to get the day's rates from the Regional Marketing Officer (who get conveniently missing). And then the consortium of contractors buy up the market so that the said item is not available in the market.

Then the authorised substitute is to be given like milk powder for mutton (which is always in stock).

Too many rules and very little leeway.

In so far as specifications are concerned, the Schedule of Ration Supply (IIRC the name of the book) is very exacting that enunciates the scale, weight, quality, colour, size and specifications etc.
 
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sesha_maruthi27

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Ray Sir I agree with you but the CHIEF can do something as he controls everyone.........
 

Bhadra

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Ray Sir I agree with you but the CHIEF can do something as he controls everyone.........
No, He can not as the contracting and warehousing authority for bulk purchase item is MoD, FCI and some Agro production companies and OFB under MoD.
 

Tshering22

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WTF!? Now our forces have to contend for even basic need as food!? :mad2:
 

Ray

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Bhadra is right.

Where the govt has a source one can do nothing but go there.
 

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