Another shocker for armed forces: Can’t buy scooters or cars through CSD

NEW DELHI: In yet another indicator of the severe crash crunch being faced by the over 14-lakh armed forces, the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) has issued a notification that military personnel will not be able to buy scooters or motorcycles and cars through it till the fiscal comes to an end on March 31.

“Due to budgetary constraints at the CSD head office, the sale of four-wheelers and two-wheelers have been curtailed till March 31. Normalcy will be restored with effect from April 1,” said the CSD advisory.

The CSD is the largest retail network in the country with 34 central deports that feed over 4,500 canteens, with a customer base of around 85 lakh. “CSD gets an allocation of about Rs 16,000 crore every year. But the problem is that from 2015 onwards, lakhs of civilians in defence establishments have been made eligible for CSD facilities. This has ruined the overall finances,” said an official.

The CSD advisory comes soon after a notification issued by the principal controller of defence accounts (PCDA) that it will no longer process claims by Army officers going on courses, assignments and postings due to lack of funds, as earlier reported by TOI.

“Due to insufficient funds available under temporary duty and permanent duty heads of Army officers, no TA/DA (travelling allowance), advances and claims can be processed till receipt of sufficient funds under the relevant heads. However, the facility for LTC (leave travel concession) will continue,” said the PCDA (officers) notification, which led to widespread outrage in the armed forces.

The MoD, on its part, said, “At times the funds allotted, based on envisaged expenditure, to a specific head falls short of the actual expenditure. The shortfalls are only temporary and are resolved routinely through reappropriations. Adequate funds are provided under all heads, including temporary and permanent duty heads."