New Delhi: A report by the government auditor, CAG, has found major irregularities in a Rs. 3,600-crore VVIP helicopter deal with Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland (AW). In its report tabled in Parliament today, the Comptroller and Auditor General or CAG said that the government had failed to follow defence procurement policy rules in awarding the contract for 12 VIP choppers.

The fact remains that despite the directions of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to make SQR (staff qualitative requirements) broad-based to increase competition, the SQR were made more restrictive which narrowed down the choice to a limited range of helicopters, capable of meeting the requirements of VVIP fleet.

"We have observed that the past trend of low utilisation levels (29 per cent) over a period of 11 years (1999-2010) of the existing fleet of eight helicopters by VVIP and rest of the flying for training ad use by OEPs does not lend credence to the ministry's justification for additional procurement of helicopters. This apprehension was also expressed by RM."


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