By : Indian Express


The Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) has slammed the Indian Air Force (IAF) for unauthorised use of VIP aircraft by senior defence officers and their spouses that cost the government Rs 75 crore.


Objecting to the conversion of eight An-32 aircraft for VIP use, the CAG report criticised the IAF for diverting the medium tactical transport aircraft from primary duties like troop transport, para-dropping of troops and supplies.

The report tabled in Parliament today says that the IAF had 19 aircraft of a communication squadron earmarked for VIP duty and the conversion of An-32 “lacked justification.”

“Diversion of such large number of aircraft (20 per cent of the total serviceable aircraft with IAF) for VIP use showed an unexpected indifference to its primary role,” said the report, which scrutinized records of the aircraft from 2001-06.

None of the modified aircraft were ever used by the three entitled VIPs (the President, the Prime Minister, and the Vice-President) but by senior service officers and their wives.

The spouses of the air force and army chiefs, president of the Air Force Wives Association (AFWA) and Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) respectively, have specially come under the scanner for unauthorised usage of the service aircraft.

“AFWA/AWWA presidents are not even covered under the category of OEPs (other entitled personages),” the report says.