CSD India: The travails and torment of ESM

Date: Tuesday, 28 July, 2009, 11:09 PM
My dear Brig Kamboj,
I wonder whether you have experienced any problems while trying to buy high value items like cars, refrigerator, Microwave, Washing machine etc.from our Canteen.
My experience is, bad. My reasons:
1. When I want to buy a car I like, it is invariably not yet approved by the CSD in Bombay. ie. price not yet determined. By the time this process is over the car becomes an older model. This process goes on for ever and for every item.
2. Buying an item from the main CSD Depot is another great pain. First of all you have to complete an application form normally not easily available. Having obtained the form you have to declare that the same item has not been purchased by the buyer in the last two years. Does that mean one cannot buy two at the same time? I am now trying to build another room and a small study as I am expecting guests. (Not paying) I cannot buy 2 ACs. Is that the situation now?
3. Ok, having gone 12 Kilometers to the Station Hq for obtaining the SSO's signature (who is supposed to state that I am what I am and that I am a genuine buyer) one is required to go to the CSD DEPOT. There normally there is a crowd running here and there to find out the dealing clerk, and then you are asked to stand in a Queue.
4. The scrutiny of the application and the comparison of your ID with your present MUG takes quite some time. At the age of 82 you are not likely to look exactly like when you were 60. Finally after accepting the Demand Draft an order to supply the item is laboriously typed by the clerk, with instructions to take the form to the dealer who is normally another 10 to 20 KMs away.
5. And when you reach there and if it is not their lunch time you are asked to sign on two places. One is to check whether the signature tallies with what is there in the supply order and the other is to sign for "Having received the item in GOOD condition and that I have no complaints."
6 On getting that signature he tells us that the item can be collected when they will call you on phone!. They will also recommend a company to install it for which payment has to be made. The wiring etc should be got ready before the nominated person arrives to install it. When I questioned him regarding possibilities of the machine not working properly, he says "Not to worry Sir, the manufacturer will come and set it right as there is a year guarantee. Why then did you want me to sign earlier that it is in good condition and so on, he answers that is for the purpose of getting the cash from CSD!.

I am 82. Do you think it is possible for me to go through all these obstacles. When I asked the Canteen manager as to why the master card is not even seen by them. He said this is our PROCEDURE...
I feel this matter needs to be looked into. If the govt gives us some privileges let them give it gracefully, of course making sure of the identity of the buyer. Why cant they lay down a formula by which an entitled buyer shows his Smart card and choose what he likes from the approved items (Only High value items like car and so on) The present system of buying groceries and so on can carry on as now.
I once bought a godrej refrigerator and I found a huge hole at the back of the refrigerator due to rust. The one year was over. But when I called Godrej, they quietly replaced the entire sheet as they realised that the material was faulty. Even after the guarantee period was over. But Whirpool refused to do so even though the body was becoming rusty on powder coated surface. I got it repainted paying Rs 900.
What should we do to improve this? Can we do a brainstorming session and suggest something new? I forgot to mention that the CSD DEPOT insists on DD from the nationalised Banks. I told the manager that only bank which is truly national is RESERVE bank of India. The manager then accepted the KVB draft!.
Brig Seshadri (Retd)

High Value Items in CSD India
1. The models offered are vintage (nearly 2 years old). Products invariably do not have any star rating.
3. AC's, two wheelers, fridge are most sought after and it is evident that there is a racket operating between touts ESM and Civilian staff at the CSD Depots where one has to deal for getting the product. This is obvious from the crowds milling around the counters.
4. The brands that are generally available are those that do not sell in the civilian market.
5. Once the demand draft is paid the product is not delivered for long periods sometimes as long as a month. There is no provision to cancel the order and obtain refund instantly, which is against all norms and ethics.
6. The CSD (I) follows the bureaucratic standards of inefficiency and discourtesy. While there is some reforms taking place at Government level with the advent of RTI. There is no such provision in the charter of CSD.
7. The rules in vogue are antique niether of digital nor analogue world. There is absolutely no consumer protection against defective and poor quality products. Most electrical products do not pass ISI norms. CFT energy saving bulbs have no guarantee, whereas if purchased from civil market there is one year guarantee.
8. The nexus between the CSD (I), Politicians, MNC's, Manufacturers is so closely looped that it is difficult to redeem the situation in the near future. The situation and services are likely to further deteriorate! The ESM and MOD are mute spectators!
9. Mission Statement of CSD(I) should be replaced to read: Spin in crores of Rupees Profit by any means at the expense of Armed Forces Personnel, Serving as well as retired. Plough back profits for "Troops Welfare" (which in reality is draining it in a black hole).
Media Report
CSD(I)- Service to the Services: 2008
MoD diverting welfare funds: "irregular diversion" of canteen profits: 1998