CAG report on gaps in India's security failed to bother MPs

Pradeep Thakur, TNN Apr 6, 2012, 03.56AM IST

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-06/india/31299309_1_artillery-guns-cag-report-indian-army

NEW DELHI: The political establishment was outraged when Army chief Gen V K Singh's letter to PM Manmohan Singh highlighting the hollowness in India's battle preparedness found its way into the media. Many politicians had even asked for the chief's sack, assuming that he had leaked out the sensitive facts. But now it transpires that the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) had in a report in December highlighted the same critical gaps in India's defence, only much more starkly.

The irony is that the startling report had failed to create even a ripple, much less an alarm. This was despite the fact that the report painted a more frightening picture than Gen Singh's March 12 letter. Here's a sample: "At present the artillery arm of Indian Army comprises of regiments holding a mix of various gun systems whose technology ranges from World War-II and those developed in the 1970s". Indian artillery, in other words, was obsolete, the CAG said.

In fact, the report said it in as many words: "Artillery guns of modern technology could not be made available to the troops for over a decade for replacing the existing guns of obsolete technology of 1970 vintage. Acquisition of artillery guns included in the 10th Army Plan has not materialized till now. The abnormal delay in procurement of the new guns had not only impacted the operational preparedness of the Army but also resulted in substantial cost overrun."

None of this, however, roused Parliament's Public Accounts Committee which is mandated to scrutinize the findings of the auditor. The panel did not even take up the findings for detailed scrutiny, even though it's headed by an opposition leader, BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi. There are 21 other members, representing all parties, and none of them got alarmed. And yet the Army chief's leaked letter, the parties maintained, had given away national secrets.

Army guns obsolete, Navy deals flawed: CAG

The CAG's report on defence preparedness in December 2011 not only painted an overall grim picture, it went on to give regiment-wise and weapon-wise details of how the Army lacks the firepower that, by government's admission, it must have.

Stressing that the country has not acquired heavy artillery after the controversial purchase of Bofors 155mm howitzers in 1986, the auditor says: "Self-propelled guns are required to provide continuous fire support to mechanized formations, which normally operate cross-country in plains and deserts ... The Indian Army is presently holding SP guns with technology of 1970s.

"Acquisition of quantity 'X' of 155mm 52 calibre towed guns and self-propelled guns (wheeled/tracked) was included in the 10th Army Plan (2002-07) but could not materialize as of October 2010 ... This was to be replaced by the Army for its existing force level of 105mm/122mm/130mm guns of obsolete technology."

Another CAG report on the Indian Navy was tabled in Parliament in the monsoon session last year, and once again ignored by the public accounts committee. That talks of India's lack of competitiveness in sea warfare.

"The Navy followed a flawed approach in acquiring its new fighter aircraft fleet by not finalizing the associated weapon package with the contract for it. Eleven out of 16 MiG 29K aircraft, acquired at a cost of $740 million (Rs 3,400 crore) have been delivered in December 2009 and May 2011. No item of armament contracted for in March 2006 has been delivered as of October 2010 adversely affecting the operational capabilities."