Soldiers buy uniform from own money, says Parliamentary Panel

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) A Parliamentary Panel has observed that soldiers were forced to stitch uniforms from their own money as the pre-stitched dress provided to them did not fit their size.

In its latest report tabled in Parliament recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence said the soldiers were being provided with pre-stitched uniform, which usually did not fit their size, thereby making them untidy in appearance.

''As a result, soldiers resort to stitching of uniform from the open market by spending their own money.'' The Committee members asked the Defence Ministry about the procedure adopted for supplying uniforms to various ranks and the quality check before supplying the dress.

It replied that the ''uniforms are manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Board and the quality of the same is inspected and checked by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance. It is after various visits by inspection Board of Officers that pre-stitched uniforms are supplied to the troops. The option may be considered after taking feedback from the environment.'' The Committee also learned that the pre-stitched uniforms provided to the soldiers were often discarded due to size misfit.

It expressed a desire that the issue be examined with a view to taking suitable corrective steps.

The panel further directed that it should be apprised of the action taken in this regard.

UNI AG RR PM1558