A parliamentary panel has expressed concerns over "unsatisfactory responses" from Defence PSUs to carry out refits for Coast Guard ships even as it recommended a dedicated repair yard for country's maritime security agency.
The panel has also has flayed the Coast Guard for delay in the defence acquisitions and has recommended that officers responsible for such a slow down be brought to book.
In its reply to the Public Accounts Committee, the Ministry stated that despite taking steps to to carry out the refitting work on Coast Guard vessels, DPSUs has shown "unsatisfactory" response.
"The response of DPSUs/PSUs in undertaking refits of ICG (Indian Coast Guard) ships has continued to remain unsatisfactory. The Mazgaon Dock Ltd, Mumbai has regretted in participation of tenders citing preoccupation in ship building projects of India Navy. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) Kolkata and Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) have been selective in bidding process, but mostly regret or do not participate.
"The Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi has limited participation in the refit bidding activity," the Ministry told the panel.
The PAC report was tabled before the Lok Sabha today.
The report added that Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Vizag is the only DPSU who has been participating in refit enquiries in the recent past.
Asking the Ministry of Defence to find out ways to make DPSUs accept the refitting of ICG ships mandatory, the panel said the "security of country cannot be compromised at any cost".
"A dedicated repair yard for the ICG ships, like the Navy, should be developed to get the refit jobs on ICG ships and expect an early action on the part of the Ministry in this direction," the report said.
The Ministry has also informed the PAC that there is a shortage of 533 officers in the Indian Coast Guard.
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