Lok Sabha Question No. 24 (STARRED), answered on 2017-02-03
Subject: Supply of Sub-standard Food to Soldiers
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH, HARIOM SINGH RATHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.24

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2017

## SUPPLY OF SUB-STANDARD FOOD TO SOLDIERS

- *24. SHRI  D.K. SURESH:

SHRI  HARIOM  SINGH  RATHORE:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  cases  of  serving  sub-standard  food  to  soldiers  and  their  ill  treatment exploitation  by  senior  officers  in  Armed  Forces  have  come  to  the  notice  of  the Government through social media in the recent past;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether  the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (d) the number of complaints received for serving sub-standard food and ill treatment exploitation  of  soldiers  in  Armed  Forces  during  each  of  the  last  three  years  and  the current year, Force-wise along with the action taken / being taken by the Government on such complaints during the said period; and
- (e) the  details  of  the  mechanism  in  place  to  monitor  the  quality  of  food  and  other provisions being served to soldiers and to address their grievances?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

(a) to (e):    A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 24 FOR ANSWER ON 3.2.2017

(a) to (d): No major case of serving substandard ration and ill treatment by  senior  officers  in  Armed  Forces  have  come  to  notice  through  social media  in  last  three  years.    However,  videos  of  two  Army  soldiers  with reference to their grievances were circulated in social media.  These appear to  be  individual  view  of  the  concerned  soldiers  and  does  not  reflect  the collective feedback which is received through multiple channels

- (e) The soldiers of Armed Forces are provided rations as per entitlement. The  quality  of  food  served  to  soldiers  is  checked  as  per  Defence  Food Specification at following levels:-
- (i) Dry rations are checked  at Central Food  Laboratories by scientific staff and approved by Defence Food Analysts.
- (ii) Fresh rations are checked by Officer Commanding (OC) of units issuing the entitled ration.  In addition, the Commanding Officer (CO) / OC of consumer units is also entitled to check rations and be assured of the quality before receipt.
- (iii) A system exists in each unit where cooked food is checked by Duty  Officer  before  issue  to  troops.    Commanding  Officer  of each unit also randomly checks the cooked food.
- (iv) Station Commander of each military station / garrison is overall in-charge  of  quality  of  ration  issued  to  troops.    There  are adequate checks carried out by Station Commander from time to time including surprise checks on quality of rations.
- (v) A monthly mess meeting is held at each military station where issues  regarding  quality  of  food  can  be  raised  and  resolved. The Commanding Officer, Quartermaster and other ranks of the each unit attend such meetings chaired by the Station Commander.

There  is  a  well  laid  down  mechanism  for  feedback  /  redressal  of grievances in Armed  Forces starting from daily roll calls where the grievances can be addressed to Company Commanders.  The Commanding Officer (CO) of unit collectively addresses through a Sainik Sammelan at least once a month and resolves the problems faced by Jawans.  Also, each soldier is personally interviewed by the CO every time individual proceeds on leave, temporary duty and return backs to the unit.  Soldiers can at their will seek audience of the Commanding Officer / Commanders in chain for redressal of their grievances. A direct feedback on quality of rations from troops is also compiled on quarterly  basis  by  Formation  Headquarters  and  the  same  is  perused  at  the highest level.

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