September 27, 2012

Anti-insurgency vehicles lying idle in Bengal


TOI| Sep 27, 2012, 05.12AM IST

KOLKATA: The state government had bought two carriers with Rs 90 lakh to counter Maoist insurgency in the districts. But for the past three years they have been lying idle because the vehicles were found unsuitable for use, states a latest report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Bought for more than Rs 90 lakh to counter Maoist insurgency in the districts of West Bengal, two troop carriers have been lying idle for the past three years as they were found unsuitable for use.

According to a latest report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), the West Bengal police had made the procurement in 2009 "without considering their suitability resulting in the vehicles not being used in anti-terrorist operations for more than two years and consequent blockage of funds".

The Home Department had "ignored the opinion of the district police authorities" while sanctioning the order.

"Scrutiny of records of SP Paschim Medinipur (West Midnapore) revealed that the vehicle was not utilized for a single operation since its deployment as it did not have bomb blast proof technology and due to its low fuel economy and inability to move in narrow roads and forests due to its large size," the CAG report said.

The Police Directorate had also expressed reservations about the suitability of the vehicle on account of high cost, inconclusive field trials and non-availability of technical certificate regarding the vehicle being mine-proof.

The auditors also flayed the government for making the purchase directly from Ural India Limited without calling for tenders. (PTI)

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