Army Ordnance Faces Flak From Centre's Auditor Over Delay In Placing Orders
NDTV
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India said the delay in place orders is an "inherent" problem which affects the operational preparedness of the Army.
The Army Ordnance Corps has faced flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for instances of delays-- in some cases up to 301 weeks-- in placing procurement orders and extra expenditure.
The delays in placing orders and materialisation of supplies in case of critical items was an "inherent" problem affecting the operational preparedness of the Army, it said.
"Against the prescribed time frame of 23 weeks in Defence Procurement Manual, delay of 13 to 301 weeks was noticed in certain supply orders. The delays were mainly in obtaining acceptance of necessity and completing the tendering process within the bid validity period," the CAG said.
"Against the supply orders/indents placed on Ordnance Factories, Defence Public Sector Undertakings and other vendors, supply orders valuing more than Rs 700 crore were outstanding beyond the delivery period and awaiting completion for the last one to 19 years," it said in a press release.
