Special uniform for soldiers in borders or field areas
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 1470
ANSWERED ON 01.01.2018
Special uniform for soldiers in borders or field areas
1470 Shri Surendra Singh Nagar
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state :-
(a) whether Government has conducted any study to find out the requirement of special uniform for the safety of the soldiers posted in borders / field areas of the country;
(b) whether Government has decided to implement a time-bound purchase scheme for purchasing bullet proof jackets and security equipments / clothes for the soldiers;
(c) if so, the details thereof and by when the purchase is likely to be completed; and
(d) whether Government proposes to frame any policy regarding periodic review and necessary upgradation of uniforms of the soldiers and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE
(a) Requirement for special uniforms for safety of soldiers deployed on borders / field areas in the country is assessed regularly and provision for introduction of new items / improved version of existing items is made as per prescribed procedure.
(b) & (c): The Government undertakes procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) and other necessary protective gears / garments for soldiers from time to time as per authorization. During 2016-17, 50,000 BPJs have been procured for Indian Army through Revenue route. Procurement of 1,86,138 BPJs through Capital route is under Buy (Indian) category. Further, a contract for procurement of 1,58,279 Ballistic Helmet through Capital route has been concluded in December 2016.
(d) Upgradation and provision of improved version of special uniforms is a continuous process for which necessary steps are taken regularly.