Parl panel expresses concern over clothing, snow goggles for troops in higher altitudes

A parliamentary panel has expressed concern over the availability of clothing and snow goggles for Army troops in northern and eastern sectors of the country.

The standing committee on defence, which tabled its report before the Lok Sabha on Friday, also observed that the demand-supply deficit of funds would hamper the pace of planned acquisitions of the Air Force like procurement of transport aircraft and light combat aircraft Tejas.

During the course of examination of demands for grants, the committee expressed concern over the availability of clothing and snow goggles for Army troops in northern and eastern sectors.

The Defence Ministry, however, told the panel that there had been no case of snow blindness due to lack of goggles, adding that these were indicators that soldiers were not without clothing and the basic weapons required for higher altitude
"The Ministry of Defence assured the committee that the necessary items are adequately provided with," the panel observed. "Contracts are annually signed for procurement of clothing."