By IANS
New Delhi : A parliamentary panel has urged for greater transparency in fast track purchases of military hardware, saying the procedures should be constantly reviewed.
It should also be ensured that purchases made under the fast track procedure (FTP) are made available in the timeframe laid down by the armed forces, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said in its 59th report tabled in both houses of parliament Friday.
Noting that an efficient FTP can play a vital role in “emergent situations”, the committee hoped the defence ministry “would at least now initiate specific measures for a more transparent, simple and faster procedure for procurement of defence equipment,” the committee said.
Vijay Kumar Malhotra, deputy leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Lok Sabha, heads the committee.
Its observations came on the government’s action taken report on the PAC’s 34th report on delayed purchase and insignificant utilisation of equipment procured under the fast track procedure.
“The committee further desires that the procurement procedures should be constantly reviewed and re-formulated by carefully analysing its shortcomings and an effective procedure established for emergent purchases which is truly fast track and quick,” it said.
“The committee would like to be apprised of the specific measures taken/proposed to be taken in this regard,” it added.
The committee was “constrained” to point out that although the purchase of de-mining equipment was proposed and effected through the FTP due to urgent operational requirements, “there was substantial delay in the delivery…due to lack of effective coordination” between the defence ministry and the concerned agencies.
Thus, the very concept and intent of the FTP had been defeated, it added.
“The committee desires that an effective coordination and monitoring mechanism be evolved by the ministry of defence involving all the agencies so that the procurement process progresses smoothly without hindrance and defence equipment are (sic) made available with the timeframe required by the armed forces,” it said.