"SOLDIERS WITHOUT BOOTS" was the headline of major newspapers. 

This is not the headline we expect to see that kind of headline 72 years of independence. CAG report flags a chronic shortage of gear for our forces in the Siachen area and raised questions about fund allocation. It is very disturbing, and atrocious. The latest CAG report tabled in parliament, last Monday, is a sad commentary on the lack of seriousness on the part of the government and Army towards the troops deployed in Siachen,the world’s highest battleground. CAG has pulled up government agencies on several counts, mainly for the delays in procurement of snow goggles, multipurpose boots, and other high altitude clothing and equipment essential for troops posted in areas such as Ladakh, and Siachen. This flies in the face of ruling party leaders who never get tired of claiming how national security is their top priority. In a report tabled in both Houses of Parliament, the central Auditor had also questioned the government for the inordinate delay in the establishment of the Indian National Defence University which was recommended by the Kargil review committee in 1999. It was also pointed out that soldiers lacked special ration, compromising the calorie intake of jawans by as high as 82%. The report also notes that there was a “critical shortage “ between 62% and 98%i n snow goggles, that troops were not issued multipurpose boots and old version of face masks, jackets, and sleeping bags were procured. The list of shortfalls is longer but suffice it to say that the government comes out in a very poor light.

It’s well known that it’s not the enemy but extreme weather conditions that kill our soldiers in Siachen. It was reported that overall 869 men lost their lives, serving at the glacier between 1984 & 2015, including 33 officers 54 JCOs, 782 other personnel. This report is no different from the earlier ones relating to March 2013, which said that we would run out of ammunition in 10 days in a conventional war. So, apart from this grim state of affairs bothering us for a while, there is no determined policy push to set it right. Some of the details are indeed so disturbing that it makes us wonder if we are among the top armies of the world and I do not know really, whether we can believe the recent statement that we can defeat the enemy within 10 days or so.

Whatever it is, nothing could be more unfortunate than this. A party in power that takes pride in its “nationalist” leanings cannot treat its Army in such a shabby manner. The least we can do for our soldiers is to give them respect and treat them well because they are the ones who put their lives on the line for the nation daily. If the government is not looking after our soldiers properly, then there is something very wrong with us as a nation.