Jammu, April 28 (KMS): Several lakh blankets worth crores of rupees procured by Indian army for its troops not only turned out to be of poor quality but also failed to reach the troops in time.

A report published in an Indian daily “The Tribune” said that the blankets were procured from the private sector at more than double the prices offered by the handloom sector. Troops using them complained of inadequate warmth, inferior wool and reduced life expectancy of 2-3 years against five years in case of barrack blankets.

The report claimed that 3.5 lakh blankets were procured at a price of Rs 519 per piece, which was Rs 267 more than the rate provided by the handloom sector. The supplies of these blankets were made by March-April, which reduced the extent of their utilisation by the troops. Further, 1.57 lakh blankets were lying in stock at various depots till December 2007 while the stock position of another 70,000 blankets was not known.