NEW DELHI: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report No. 11 of 2024 has highlighted serious mismanagement in the raising of Porter Companies (Coys) under the Eastern Command. The Ministry of Defence approved the creation of nine Porter Coys for 2019-22 at a cost of ₹275.63 crore. However, the audit found several issues in planning and execution.
A Porter Coy is a group of porters in the Indian Army. Porters are civilian helpers who provide essential services to the Army, such as delivering food, ammunition, and supplies to troops in difficult terrain.
Government (Defence Services-Army) presented in the Parliament.
The assessment of porter needs was inaccurate, with Corps HQs inflating their requirements by up to 499%. As a result, ₹112.93 crore was spent unnecessarily. Delays in raising the Porter Coys led to a shortage of porters during the winter months, affecting operations.
Out of 12,000 hired porters, only 7,938 were deployed to the necessary tasks, and 3,359 were assigned to non-essential units. Financial mismanagement included overpayments of ₹2.53 crore and ₹1.21 crore in allowances for porters who were not in high-altitude areas.
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Government (Defence Services-Army) presented in the Parliament.
Additionally, the construction of key infrastructure, like Permanent Defences, fell short by up to 97%, and asset records were not properly maintained.
The CAG’s Audit Report No. 11 of 2024 emphasizes the need for better planning, transparency, and accountability in the management of resources and execution of plans under the Eastern Command. The findings suggest that the Ministry must address these inefficiencies to ensure optimal use of resources, improve operational effectiveness, and prevent further financial wastage.