Mindset of suspicion in Def Min needs to be removed: Parrikar

“The last one-and-half year, we tried to analyse...some times it is quite disturbing that because there has been some scams, we have been tightening the screws of the procedures to a level that the basic aspect of procurement procedure or acquisition itself has been forgotten,” he said.

Parrikar pointed out that once the Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued for defence procurement, changes in it are not allowed because of the suspicion of bribe or foul play.

“The assumption that doing something correct will compromise the transparency is not correct,” Parrikar said.

“I have been thinking about how to overcome this situation by changing the procedure, while convincing everyone in the defence that still it can be very transparent,” he added.

The minister further said: “You can’t make things foolproof right on day one, you tend to make mistakes.”

Parrikar was speaking at the 7th Strategic Electronics Summit 2016 organised by Electronic Industries body ELCINA here.

Noting that today modifications are not possible in RFP and there are instances they have been recalled because of this, the Minister said, “This concept or thinking of suspecting everyone needs to be removed.”

He said this kind of mindset has probably damaged Indian defence and the country’s strategic industry very much and added that in the past two years efforts were being made to change it.

“One single-most achievement in which I have made reasonable success is changing the mindset of people in defence, where now they have started understanding,” he said.

 Stating that many a time situations, which are not conducive for the industry are created, Parrikar asked defence PSUs and Ordnance Factories Board to be lead integrator rather than trying to manufacture everything from pin to wings of the aircraft.

Assuring the industry that from his side there will be business, Parrikar said “from your side you should promise to do the business honestly....” 

He also assured that ELCINA’s proposal to setup a lab with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) will become a reality in a couple of months.

Parrikar said by this year-end both Ordnance Factories Board manual and Defence Procurement Manual will be amended.