BY : Outlook


In another instance of armed forces going in for overkill in weapons procurement after the Kargil conflict, Watchdog Comptroller and Auditor General has pulled up the Army for purchasing Thermal Imagers in excess valued at more than Rs 10.16 crore.

"Audit of a transaction of Hand Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI) used by Army and Rashtriya Rifles to detect and monitor enemy activities at night has revealed an excess procurement of 56 Thermal Imagers worth Rs 10.16 crore due to incorrect assessment," the CAG said in its latest report tabled in Parliament today.

"The Army infantry and Rashtriya Rifles are authorised to hold Thermal Imagers at certain scales approved by the Ministry of Defence," the CAG said.

The Army had put up an order for 4,062 Imagers which included a reserve stock of ten percent, it said.

The Army received the full consignment of these Thermal [magers by March 2004, but a detailed audit showed that while giving its assessment of 4062 Thermal Imagers, Army had adopted an "incorrect number of battalions" to be armed with these force multipliers.

"The Army action has resulted in procurement of 56 more Thermal Imagers in excess which has resulted in avoidable expenditure of Rs 10.16 crore," the report said.

This is the third major procurement of the Army which has come in for severe audit objection in the last four years and in which Kargil conflict had been cited for purchase.

The CAG said though the matter was referred to the Defence Ministry, a reply was still awaited.