Due to not having its firing range in the Indian Navy, the CAG has expressed concern over the effect of the practice of naval officers in small arms operations in the capital region. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said this in its report submitted in both the Houses of the recently concluded Monsoon session of Parliament.

It was said in the report that all Indian Navy personnel should have the working knowledge of running all types of small arms. In May 2010, the Ministry of Defense, the coordinated headquarters had set up measures for training and others in this regard.

It said that initial training for small arms and annual practice allowance (APA) for vessels and establishments was notified by the Naval Headquarters in December 1978 and it was revised in 2011. According to this, each Naval Officer is required to conduct firing exercises of 65 cycles of 5.56 mm ball emunation and 40 cycle firing of nine MM ball emunation in a year.

The report said that Station Commander (Navy), Delhi area is responsible for the fact that all Navy officers and sailors stationed in this area have to conduct firing of small arms.

The CAG said in an audit inquiries (September 2015), the Navy said that due to lack of land in Delhi, the Indian Navy does not have any firing range and it has to rely solely on the army for firing range.

The report said that the reduction in the participation of officials during the firing exercise in the Delhi area between 2012-13 and 2015-16 was 91.59 percent and 99.83 percent.

CAG said that the firing of small arms exercises by naval officers is marginal compared to APA's instructions and it could affect the ability of Navy officers to operate the weapon.

The CAG said that the matter was referred to the Ministry of Defense in December 2016 and its response was anticipated.

(Click here for Android APP of IBTN. You can follow us on facebook and Twitter)

Share This News

About sharing