Soldiers in Ladakh don't have enough warm clothes, impatient Ranjan Chaudhary seeks permission to cross border

- The CAG took up the matter earlier this year

New Delhi on Thursday, October 8

Amid reports that Indian troops serving for months in extremely cold regions like Siachen and Ladakh do not have adequate warm clothing and protective equipment, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary, chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee and a vocal Congress leader, wrote a letter to Speaker Om Birla seeking permission to meet him.

It should be noted that the Comptroller and Accounts General (CAG) in its report earlier this year noted that there was a lack of warm clothing and other equipment to carry out duty in the trembling areas like Siachen and Ladakh. Yet no concrete steps were taken by the government. Impatient Ranjan Chaudhary, in a letter to Speaker Om Birla, said that the members of the Public Accounts Committee wanted to go to the border and talk directly to the soldiers. It was necessary to understand the working conditions and circumstances of these soldiers. Especially now there is a state of tension with China and Pakistan on the border and now winter is about to start. At such times the focus on the well-being of the soldiers guarding the borders decreases.

It may also be noted here that Chief of Defense Staff (COD) General Bipin Rawat has appeared before the Public Accounts Committee twice in this regard. He gave his report to the Public Accounts Committee about the soldiers guarding the borders.

The CAG said in its report that Siachen and Ladakh are extremely cold regions. During 2015-16 and 2017-18, the soldiers did not have enough stock of warm clothing or other equipment. It was imperative that the border guards get the necessary supplies on time. It took about four years to buy the equipment. It was unforgivable that the soldiers did not have the necessary supplies when October had begun and the murderous winter was about to begin. Given the ongoing tensions with China over the past few months, the troops should get the necessary supplies immediately.