Par panel raps Def Min over raising of mountain strike corps

A Parliamentary Standing Committee today rapped the Defence Ministry for "milking existing resources" to raise a mountain strike corps aimed at countering China.
The Committee on Defence also pulled up the ministry for a host of deficiencies, including the delay in the Light Combat Aircraft project, shortage of tanks, missiles and bullet-proof jackets among others.
"The Committee is constrained to note that the raising of Mountain Strike Corps was commended utilising War Wastage Reserves (WWR), which are war reserves and not to be touched otherwise," its report said.
Keeping in mind the importance of the Mountain Strike Corps to counter advance of neighbouring countries at high altitude area, the Committee had desired the Ministry to do away with its "proclivity of ad-hoc" planning and provide adequate budgetary support commensurate with the requirement of the new formation, it added.

The action taken report says that the replies given by the Ministry convey that Mountain Strike Corps is being raised only as per availability of budget.
"The Committee contemplated over the whole scenario including the raising of Mountain Strike Corps from WWR and take a very serious view on milking of existing resources. As there are already serious shortage in the current WWR, which does not even cater fully to existing demand, how could it can be further milked to create new assets like Mountain Strike Corps," the report questioned.

It added that the Committee has been repeatedly pointing out the "serious" shortages in various "operational" areas.

However, it appears that the matter is not being given due consideration that it deserves.
"The Committee deplore the casual approach of the Ministry in treating their recommendation. The Committee, therefore, reiterate their earlier recommendation to provide separate allocation as well as separate set of modernised weapons for raising of Mountain Strike Corps, which is essential for protecting our borders in high altitude areas," the report said.