More fiscal powers for Army vice-chief

DC CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI, JULY 12 The financial power vested upon the vice-chief of the Indian Army, depending on the budgetary support available, to buy the complete range of weapons system may translate into `40,000 cr

In a major government decision, the vice-chief of the Indian Army has been empowered with “full” financial powers to procure ammunitions and spares for 10 types of weapons systems and equipment in order to maintain combat-readiness for wars which are expected to be “short, swift and intense” in future.

The financial power vested, depending on the budgetary support available, to buy the complete range of weapons system may translate into `40,000 crore, an official, requesting anonymity, said.

“The decision is primarily aimed at filling the voids for short duration intense wars,” the official said.

The decision comes after an internal review conducted in the aftermath of the September 28-29 Uri attack had identified “voids” in the Army’s combat readiness and found that optimum level of “war stores” were not being maintained. According to the decision, the vicechief has also been empowered on a routine basis to review the optimum holding state and maintaining it on a recurring manner.

The procedure will be part of revenue procurement of the Army for inservice equipment and weapons and it will not require to go through numerous procurement stages which often cause inordinate delays.

As part of the decision, the Army has been allowed to procure 46 types of ammunition and spares for 10 different types of weapons systems. Another proposal to allow the Army to procure 20 types of armament and 6 types of mines is also under consideration.