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BSFâbought spare parts for grounded chopper:âCAG
Shemin Joy NEW DELHI: July 26, 2015, DHNS:
Auditor finds no merit in security force's argument
The Border Security Force (BSF) bought spare parts worth Rs 1.41 crore from a Ukraine-based company for two grounded MI-17 choppers, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said.
In its report tabled in Parliament, the CAG said the Air Wing of BSF procured “Auxiliary Power Units” (APU) for use in the two-grounded helicopters. “These components were procured before life extension of helicopters by the manufacturer. Thus, BSF failed to ascertain future serviceability of the helicopters before concluding the procurement process leading to idling of components worth Rs 1.41 crore for almost 20 months,” the CAG said.
As per procedure, no extention is permissible on the retirement life of MI-17. Life extensions are provided only by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) after ascertaining technical validity.
The BSF Air Wing on March 2012 decided to retrieve the serviceability of its two MI-17 choppers — Z4102 and Z4104 — carrying Aircraft Operationally Grounded (AOG) status. It was then decided to buy 10 spare parts, including two APUs. In September 2012, BSF sanctioned Rs 1.41 crore for buying two APUs from Ukraine-based Motor Sich, JSC, as it was the original equipment manufacturer. The deal was completed in May 2013 when the APUs were supplied.
During inspection, the CAG found that the BSF did not approach the Indian Air Force or OEM for life extension of the two choppers before initiating the procurement process.
“Thus, the BSF concluded the procurement process for the APUs even before ascertaining the technical viability and sustainability of the machines for future operations. As a result, the APUs procured at a price of Rs 1.41 crore were rendered idle for almost 20 months while the helicopters continued to be on AOG status as on November 2014,” the CAG report said.
The auditor also did not find any merit in BSF’s argument that the components were used in two other choppers which were flying with APUs loaned from Air Force. This “would appear to be a fait accompli rather than the result of a well conceived plan,” it said.
The CAG also found fault with the force for not cancelling the order when it found that the selected choppers were not going to be retrieved.
It also added, “The contention of the BSF that the new APUs can be given to IAF in lieu of APUs taken on loan is a poor rationalisation of an inappropriate decision, which ultimately led to idling of expensive components.”
Shemin Joy NEW DELHI: July 26, 2015, DHNS:
Auditor finds no merit in security force's argument
The Border Security Force (BSF) bought spare parts worth Rs 1.41 crore from a Ukraine-based company for two grounded MI-17 choppers, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said.
In its report tabled in Parliament, the CAG said the Air Wing of BSF procured “Auxiliary Power Units” (APU) for use in the two-grounded helicopters. “These components were procured before life extension of helicopters by the manufacturer. Thus, BSF failed to ascertain future serviceability of the helicopters before concluding the procurement process leading to idling of components worth Rs 1.41 crore for almost 20 months,” the CAG said.
As per procedure, no extention is permissible on the retirement life of MI-17. Life extensions are provided only by Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) after ascertaining technical validity.
The BSF Air Wing on March 2012 decided to retrieve the serviceability of its two MI-17 choppers — Z4102 and Z4104 — carrying Aircraft Operationally Grounded (AOG) status. It was then decided to buy 10 spare parts, including two APUs. In September 2012, BSF sanctioned Rs 1.41 crore for buying two APUs from Ukraine-based Motor Sich, JSC, as it was the original equipment manufacturer. The deal was completed in May 2013 when the APUs were supplied.
During inspection, the CAG found that the BSF did not approach the Indian Air Force or OEM for life extension of the two choppers before initiating the procurement process.
“Thus, the BSF concluded the procurement process for the APUs even before ascertaining the technical viability and sustainability of the machines for future operations. As a result, the APUs procured at a price of Rs 1.41 crore were rendered idle for almost 20 months while the helicopters continued to be on AOG status as on November 2014,” the CAG report said.
The auditor also did not find any merit in BSF’s argument that the components were used in two other choppers which were flying with APUs loaned from Air Force. This “would appear to be a fait accompli rather than the result of a well conceived plan,” it said.
The CAG also found fault with the force for not cancelling the order when it found that the selected choppers were not going to be retrieved.
It also added, “The contention of the BSF that the new APUs can be given to IAF in lieu of APUs taken on loan is a poor rationalisation of an inappropriate decision, which ultimately led to idling of expensive components.”
