The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Friday pulled Ordnance Factories for delay and slippages in providing boots, trousers, parachutes and jackets to the armed forces, thereby, adversely affecting their operational preparedness.
In its report on the performance of Ordnance Factories tabled in Parliament, the CAG also pointed out that the armed forces were forced to buy these essential equipment worth over Rs1,147 crore from other sources due to delay in delivery schedule.
The CAG also observed that there was “lack of transparency” in the process of issuing tenders where in some cases one agent was representing two firms in one tender violating the CVC guidelines and Defence Procurement Manual rules.
“The shortfall in production and issue of items valuing Rs 1,147.13 crore during 2008 to 2012... The Central Ordnance Depot, Army expressed serious concern about critical deficiency of 13 items including paratrooper boots, mosquito nets and sweaters due to non-supply in 2009-10,” the report said.
It pointed out that the slippages were mainly due to the delayed finalisation of firm targets, acceptance of targets beyond the capacity for some product-mix, slippages in procurement of stores and low utilisation of capacity.
The CAG noted that while the Defence Ministry admitted these reasons for delay but it did not suggest remedial action to address the issue.