IAF procures UVS without evaluating efficacy: CAG

New Delhi: With an objective to strengthen its air bases amid increased threat to defence installation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had procured 57 Under Vehicle Scanning (UVS) at a cost of Rs 17.09 crore during March-November 2012, out of which only 17 UVS systems are functioning as on date, the national expenditure watchdog report revealed. These UVS were procured for tightening the security at the entry gate of 50 bases throughout the country as scanning of vehicles entering the premises was considered to be one of the critical security measures. “IAF HQ issued three supply orders on M/s Turbo Consultancy Services and M/s Infosolutions India for procurement of 57 UVS systems for 17.09 crore… These systems were received between July 2012 and April 2013,” the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) findings said. The national auditor also found that only 45 systems were installed as on April 2016 and within warranty period, 43 systems became non-functional. These were neither repaired nor replaced by the vendors as stipulated in the warranty clauses of the supply order. The findings also said that the IAF did not initiate any action against the vendors. In May, 2016, the Air HQrs said that due to excessive malfunctioning of the components and downtime of the systems, vendors had extended the warranty period but did not repair or replace the systems, according to findings. In February 2017, the IAF said 52 out of 57 systems had been installed. However, 35 UVS were still in unserviceable condition and the fresh quotations were invited for repair of the systems. Earlier, the approval was given for 30 systems and was decided that further procurement will be made after evaluating the efficacy of the UVS. The CAG also revealed that they procured the systems without adequately evaluating their efficacy which showed lack of coordination between security establishment and the Air HQrs and Command level.