The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has asked the Ministry of Defence to make all efforts to fast-track defence procurements. Citing delays in the process of acquisition, the panel said to maintain the defence preparedness of the country the new acquisition procedure should be effectively used.

Inordinate delay

Commenting on the action taken by the Centre on the PAC’s report on the Role and Functioning of the Indian Coast Guard, the panel said although the 12th Plan provided for acquisition of 57 surface platforms and 36 aircraft, contracts for buying only 26 surface platforms have been signed and of the rest, 24 platforms are at various stages of acquisition and the remaining seven platforms are being initiated.

“The committee expresses its displeasure for the delays in the matter and desires that officials responsible for such delays may be brought to book,” the report added.

The committee expressed concern that the Defence Ministry was silent on the issue of developing a dedicated repair yard for the Coast Guard.

It expressed displeasure over the reply by defence PSUs on the difficulties faced by the Coast Guard to get its ships repaired in DPSU or PSU yards.

Utilise PSU shipyards

The committee said it was “aghast to note” that the Ministry is registering private shipyards for refitting business while most of the DPSU/PSU shipyards are not properly utilised for domestic work orders.

“Moreover, they (the committee) feel that repair works of the Coast Guard ships in private shipyards will not only be commercially prudent but also pose security risks for the Coast Guard ships,” the PAC said and urged the Defence Ministry to take up the issue with DPSU/PSU shipyards.

The PAC noted that there is inordinate delay in establishing a Coast Guard Academy at Azhikkal in Kerala.

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