Chitleen K Sethi
Tribune News Service Mohali, July 24
In what could mean a serious lapse on the part of the Punjab Government, certain items used in the production of a vital component of India’s T-72 tanks have been found missing from a public sector unit here.
The PSU, Punjab Recorders Limited (PRL), is the only company in the country producing these components for the defence services. A complaint to this effect was made by the Company’s Managing Director Mr Varinder Singh to the Superintendent of Police, Mohali Mr. Rakesh Agarwal yesterday.
Mr Varinder Singh, according to sources, has alleged that dyes used in the production of certain components used in large assembly production units of T-72 tanks have been stolen from the company’s premises at B-99, Ph-VIII, Industrial Area here. Other than dyes certain other vital items used in the manufacturing process have also been found missing. Mr Varinder Singh added in his complaint that this is not the first instance when some important items used in production have been stolen from the company’s premises.
Stating that the components stolen from the factory were of no material value to a normal thief, Mr Varinder Singh said he was still not sure of the thief’s motives. Mr Varinder Singh however added that the possibility of some one trying to misuse the stolen components against the nation’s interests could not be ruled out.
Established in 1977 to manufacture components for India’s main battle tanks, PRL Mohali, a Rs 3.5 crore subsidiary of Punjab Infotech Limited, formally closed down on December 16, 2003.
