According to a review committee by the 7th Pay Commission, officers posted at peaceful locations will be given an allowance of Rs 96 per day. The recommendation has been approved by the three service chiefs after there were reports of corruption within the ASC. The practice of supplying food to defence officers has been followed since the British era where they are being provided foodgrains, meat, fruits, vegetables, groceries, and even cooking means by the Army Supply Corps (ASC).
According to a review committee of the 7th Pay Commission, it has been decided that army officers posted in peaceful locations will not be getting free ration supply and would be handed over a daily ration allowance of Rs 96 per day as part of their salaries. This has brewed considerable outrage among the service holders who believe that they have to pay up extra taxes, including GST as compared to the officers who are being provided free ration.
This has been brought into effect from July 1.
The amendment has been brought after the recommendation of the three service chiefs after there were reports of major corruption within the food supply in the armed forces. The practice of supplying food to army officers has been followed since the British era where they are being provided foodgrains, meat, fruits, vegetables, groceries, and even cooking means by the Army Supply Corps (ASC). However, with the arrest of several ASC officers, the comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has decided to cut down the procurement and distribution malpractices. The ASC is the centralised inter-service agency headed by the director general of Supplies and Transport functioning under the Quartermaster general at HQ.
According to the New Indian Express, in the last audit report, CAG pointed out that "82 percent of the procurement was based on less than three quotations and 36 per cent based on single quotations that led to cost escalation. The Army follows the 74-year-old system of procuring food items centrally and distributing it to its soldiers across the length and breadth of the country."
