Revitalisation of Army Base Workshops – BPMS
REF: BPMS/ MoD / EME / 186 (8/1/R)
Dated: 21.06.2017
To
The Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
Government of India
South Block,
New Delhi – 110 011
Sub :- Revitalisation of Army Base Workshops.
Sir,
This Federation has been receiving regular inputs regarding
deteriorating conditions of the Army Base Workshops, non-availability of
spares on time, huge backlog in repairs and overhaul of vehicles and
equipments.
In view of the above, as a responsible, recognised Federation of Defence
Civilians, we felt it necessary to study the issue and bring forward
certain salient aspects to your kind notice for remedial measures.
There are eight Army Base Workshops, of which seven are responsible for
repair and overhaul of equipment/ weapons and one workshop has been
tasked with the responsibility of indigenisation and manufacture of
spares.
The Indian Army has a large inventory of weapon systems and equipment
which need to be maintained and sustained in battle worthy condition.
The periodicity of overhauling an equipment is based on the maintenance
philosophy promulgated at the time of induction for the envisaged life
cycle.
As per doctrine published in 2014, the following is the intervention period for maintenance of Class “A” Vehicles.
** For equipment to serve beyond 35 years. Balance Equipment to undergo MR instead and de induct after 35 years
.
^^ Only for OH-2 equipment and service up to or beyond 40 years.
No overhaul policy for Scania, Kraz-255 B/B1 and Tatra T-815 is
available and hence presently, Base workshops are accepting these
vehicles of eight years vintage and above for overhaul as per the
direction of EME Directorate.
124 numbers of Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun were inducted into the Army
from 2004-05 onwards. The Tank is due for overhaul from 2020-21. However
till date Overhaul agency has not been decided.
A total of 310 T-90 Tanks were initially imported from Russia through a
contract signed with the OEM i.e. M/s Rosoboronexport (ROE) in February
2001 and inducted into service during 2001-05. These Tanks are due for
overhaul from 2018-19 but till date Overhaul agency has not been
decided.
Similarly, for Armoured Recovery Vehicles also, due to short sightness, overhaul plan and/or agency has not yet been decided.
The ARV VT-72 B is a recovery vehicle for Tank T-72. A total of 156 ARVs
were procured from M/s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) and
inducted into service during the period 1994-2003. As per maintenance
philosophy and intervention norms, 129 vehicles inducted up to 2001 were
due for overhaul during 2010-15. However, even after 20 years of the
induction of the vehicle, no overhaul facility had been created.
Similarly ARV WZT-3 is a recovery vehicle of latest technology available
in Indian Army for Tank T-72. During the years 2001-07, 352 ARV WZT-3
were inducted into service through Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).
The equipment were due for overhaul from 2016-17 onwards. However,
facility for overhaul has not yet been created.
Project Tulip for establishment of additional facilities at 512 ABW as a
nucleus for repairs/overhaul of communication and night vision devices
for BMP II/ IIK is still pending since 2003.
A whole lot of examples can be cited to substantiate the assertions that
a section of Officials are deliberately trying to destabilise the Army
Base Works.
On the other hand, as per the Offsets Policy, a large number of
potential Private Sector companies are planning to deploy their offsets
obligation in the Maintenance, Overhaul and Repair business due to
guaranteed business.
This Federation has therefore viewed the inaction as stated above very
seriously and demand that the Army Base Works be revitalised and all
pending decisions such as creation of facilities for overhauling of MBT
Arjun, T-90, ARVs etc be taken immediately. This will not only assure
workmen of the seriousness of the government to protect the workshops,
but is also in National Interest.
An early action in the matter is solicited please.
Thanking You,
Yours Truly,
sd/-
(SADHU SINGH)
Organising Secretary
Member/National Council JCM
Source: www.bpms.org.in
0 comments:
Post a Comment