The government has unveiled a new combat uniform for the 13-lakh strong Indian army and this will be needed from early-2023. The new much-needed attire has several advantages such as being lightweight, stronger, climate-friendly and ergonomically designed with the help of the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology. As per reports, there is a battle to bag this large and lucrative contract with the defence establishment considering private players to bid for the tender. It is presumed that the chosen contractor will supply regularly uniforms of the best quality at cheap rates. This is a paradox, best and cheapest from a private supplier.
If the government is really serious about the concepts of ‘atmanirbhar’ and ‘vocal for local’ then the OCFs should be awarded the contract. The other advantage would be that the government will be transferring its money from its right to left pocket. Let us hope in all this tamasha there will not be an emperor’s new clothes or washing of dirty linen in public.
