NEW DELHI: A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on defence covering the period from 2018-19 to 2020-21 reveals significant challenges and inefficiencies in Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) operations. The RVC, under the leadership of the Director General Remount Veterinary Services (DG RVS), plays a crucial role in the Indian Army by managing the breeding, rearing, training, and health of equine and canine units.
The audit identifies a major gap in the 13th Army Plan (2017-22), which excluded critical aspects of capability development and modernisation for the RVC. This omission has hampered the Corps’ ability to adapt to evolving operational needs.
The Remount and Veterinary Services (RVS) falls short in achieving three of its six short-term training objectives outlined in its Technical Training Directive. These include importing frozen semen from elite European stallions to enhance the sporting potential of Army equines, training raptors to neutralize drones and surveillance devices, and assessing the suitability of local dog breeds for military working roles.
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These shortfalls reflect missed opportunities to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Army’s animal units.
The audit also reveals inefficiencies in the deployment of Animal Transport Units (ATs), with significant challenges arising from their operational setup. In four out of five selected units, the ATs are stationed at distances ranging from 174 to 534 kilometers from their dependent deployment areas. This arrangement leads to substantial additional costs for mule transportation and under-utilization of ATs, with rates varying between 89.46% and 10.74%.
The Veterinary Mobilisation Equipment Scales, essential for the Corps’ operations, have not been updated for over 16 years. This delay, attributed to the DG RVS and Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, has left the RVC using outdated tools, limiting its ability to leverage advancements in veterinary medicine.
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The findings point to systemic inefficiencies that could impact the Army’s ability to effectively utilize its animal resources. Modernisation and strategic planning are critical to addressing these challenges, ensuring that the RVC can meet the evolving demands of the Armed Forces.
The CAG’s Audit Report no. 11 of 2024 Union Government (Defence Services – Army) for the year ended March 2021 underscores the need for immediate reforms to enhance the operational readiness and efficiency of the Remount and Veterinary Services.