With recent terror attacks on Army camps including Uri in which 19 soldiers were killed and Pathankot air base attack, Parliament Standing Committee on Defence on Thursday slammed the government for not making adequate budgetary provisions to revamp security set up and providing for procuring world class surveillance technologies.
In its report tabled in Parliament on Demands for Grants for 2017-18, the Standing Committee said it has taken serious note of the recent terror attacks on military bases, defence establishments, critical facilities and even family quarters of soldiers.
“The Committee unanimously believes that safety and security of our soldiers along with their families are primary concern any compromise in this regard is unacceptable,” the report noted.
Pulling up the government for not making adequate budgetary grants for improving security of strategic installations, the parliamentary panel pointed out deficiencies in the sphere of providing bullet proof jackets to soldiers, latest weapons, machineries and surveillance equipment. Once equipped, it will assist the forces in “maintaining a robust and effective response mechanism to counter emerging threats,” the report said.
Apart from shortage of weapons, the panel also said impetus has to be given to upgrade surveillance systems and networks.
Mere dependence on manual surveillance will no longer suffice the need, the panel opined and said along with installation of the equipment, commensurate emphasis should be laid upon intellectual inputs and technology driver software based detection practices.