'Govt trying to reduce defence procurement process to 3 yrs'

The Centre is making efforts to bring down the contracting process for procurement of defence equipment to three years from the present average of about five years, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said today.
He said the government would bring out a "comprehensive and perfect document" on defence procurement procedure (DPP)- 2015 to the satisfaction of India Inc in general and MSMEs (Micro Small and Medium Enterprises) in particular.
Addressing a session on 'Self Reliance in Defence Production - The Game Changer' at the 110th Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Parrikar spoke about the changes that he was bringing in the defence procurement process.

When a member of audience pointed out that the procurement process, right from tendering to the closing of a deal, is at an average of five years, the Minister said he was aware of the long delay. "Our effort is to bring it down to three years with a transparent process."
On the DPP, Parrikar said he was trying to come out with a "perfect" document, though perfection as such is difficult to accomplish.
He urged members of the industry, who were present on the occasion, to be critical of the DPP so that their objective criticism can enable the government to make DPP 2015 a document of simplified procedures, which will help in making India self reliant in defence production as well.

The Minister said the Prime Minister has a vision for the next 20 years and that it is being implemented though it is taking sometime.

"Ultimately policies and procedures would be placed in public domain that satisfy each stakeholder in the value chain of defence production and procurement," he said.
Parrikar also took a dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over the controversy surrounding his recent address at a Bangalore college.
Without taking Rahul's name, Parrikar said politicians should read some books on public speaking.