Mat 03, 2015
How cheap is an Indian soldier's life? Apparently
cheaper than a bullet-proof vest, or so it
seems.
In a story published by DNA on May 3, it is reported that though
the Indian Army has enough supplies of such vests currently, a large portion of
its stocks will be unusable by next year and it will face a shortage of of
1,86,138 bullet-proof jackets.This shocking fact was part of the findings of the
parliamentary standing committee on defence headed by BJP
What makes this discovery worse is the fact that this inadequacy
is completely due to bureaucratic callousness. The defence acquisition council
(DAC) had approved procurement of these jackets in 2009, whilst UPA II was in
power. After the approval, Ministry of Defence invited proposals for the
procurement and six companies out of Army's 39 vendors responded. But that's
where the acquisition ended. Six years and two governments later the Army is
yet to get those vests which according to industry specialists cost around Rs
50000 per piece.
What makes it more worrisome is that this figure of 1,86,138 is
based on finding prior to 2009 which means it's already out of sync with
present demand. According to the report, the present requirement can actually
be close to 3.5 lakhs, i.e. almost double the current figure.
"It is an unpleasant surprise for the
committee that in spite of critical shortages of bullet-proof jackets being
highlighted in the previous report too, there is no improvement in the
situation. It is alarming. It needs an explanation," fumed the
parliamentary panel in its latest report. It further called the issue
'man-made' and 'very serious'.
It is sad that a government which has time and again said that
it will not be averse to any military action in need of the same is not able to
provide it's soldiers with the most basic of safety equipment.
(Source : Indiatimes)
dear sir,
ReplyDeleteto fight war against external threat, the government is not providing enough infrastructure and winter clothing and protective shield like bullet proof jacket to my brothers despite of this valiantly my brave hearts are sacrificing their life for the country. on account of this non provision of apparatus to combat cold, if my brother sustains frost bite and related illness loosing his limbs. even pakistan army will not treat a indian prisoners of war like this, how cruel and wicked and inhumane treatment. civilians are sleeping with their counter part peacefully because of my brothers. one day god will punish them for this excesses