Question : COMPENSATION PAID TO TRANSPORTERS

(a) whether the Government had paid the contractual dues to the transporter whose trucks were hired for transportation of ammunitions;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the Government had paid compensation to transporters whose trucks were destroyed by explosion at Bikaner Ammunition Depot in January 2002;

(e) if so, the compensation paid to transporters for each truck;

(f) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(g) the time by which the compensation to transporters is likely to be paid?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. Since the commencement of `Operation PARAKRAM`, a large number of trucks have been hired for transportation of ammunition and other stores. Contractual dues are being paid to the transporters on a regular basis. Trucks for transportation of ammunition are hired from a large number of locations/units and records of payments made are being maintained by those units. No central record of the total payment made is being maintained.

(d) to (g): A Board of Officers have been constituted by the Western Command to specifically look into the issue of payment of compensation for the 161 trucks damaged/destroyed in the accident that took place near the Sub-ammunition Depot at Bikaner on the 11th of January 2002. The Report of the Board of Officers is in its final stage of completion. Contractual dues at the rate of Rs. 1500/- per day per truck in respect of the 161 trucks involved in accident have been paid.