Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N S Raja Subramani
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Indian Armed Forces were examining the introduction of organic rations in a phased manner on the direction of defence minister Rajnath Singh , Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General N S Raja Subramani told Rajya Sabha member Ajeet Gopchade from Nanded. “Based on directions of the defence minister, the case for introduction of organic rations for Indian Armed Forces is being examined in a phased manner and interaction with heads of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited, National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited and National Cooperative Organics Limited is being carried out towards implementation of the proposal,” Subramani said in his Oct 15 letter to Gopchade. The CDS said Indian Army had its independent defence food specifications and procurement was done based on it. He said the composite food laboratory and food inspection unit had been made an integral part of the procurement process to ensure quality control. Army also had its own qualified officers in food technology posted as defence food analysts and scientific staff with the central food laboratory and food inspection unit, Subramani said. The CDS said dietary plans were designed based on recommendations of Ration Scale Advisory Committee, wherein specialists in the field of food technology and nutritional aspects, such as scientists of Defence Institute of Physiological and Allied Sciences, Defence Institute of Biotechnology and other senior officials, were included. Specific dietary plans had been incorporated for troops deployed in different environments and working conditions to meet caloric and nutritional requirements, he said. “All fresh rations issued are monitored on a daily basis and surprise inspections are carried out by independent duty officer and garrison field officer at respective stations,” he said. Gopchade said soldiers stood as the unbreakable shield of India in some of the most inhospitable terrains and extreme climatic conditions, from the freezing heights of Siachen Glacier to the blistering heat of Thar Desert. “Physical capability, mental alertness and endurance of a soldier are directly proportional to the quality of nutrition provided and in high-altitude and high-stress environments, food is not merely sustenance but critical fuel for operational readiness,” he said.
Gopchade had suggested the phased introduction of certified organic food items potentially sourced directly from accredited farmer-producer clusters for Armed Forces. Subramani also detailed the quality control mechanism, saying Army had a well-established and robust system with adequate checks and balances.