Revenue Procurement Practices in the Indian Army

This monograph examines some aspects of the Indian Army’s revenue procurement practices. It discusses the peculiarities of these practices in the Indian defence and security setup, relating it to the contemporary risk scenario. Keeping in mind the latest advances in the logistics management of other defence forces, this study draws attention to the corresponding trends in the private or commercial sector. Due consideration has been given to the feasibility of competitive outsourcing for qualitative assurance, cost-effectiveness and operational excellence. A case study of the equipping of the UN-bound Indian troops throws light on the requirement and expectations of the Indian soldier within international boundaries. This study assures of the best support from the material managers of the Indian Army, provided a focused approach, the latest technology, a calibrated system and modernisation are incorporated in the extant procurement procedures.

About the Author

Brigadier Venu Gopal was commissioned in the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) in December 1986, and has specialised in the field of Supply Chain and Material Management, and Strategic Management. He has held varied appointments including the Command of an Infantry Divisional Ordnance Unit (DOU), and as Director, Ordnance Services in the Service Headquarters (IHQ) dealing with Provisioning and Procurement of Ordnance Stores, which paved the way for researching the complexities and problems of revenue procurement procedures being faced during central procurement, and suggesting ways and means to overcome these to provide effective and efficient logistic support to the Indian Army against requirements of General Stores and Clothing Items. He was a Research Fellow at IDSA from June 2011 to June 2013.

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