Golf carts or vehicles for the aged?
The Army creatively interpreted the term 'electric multi-utility (EMU) vehicle' to procure golf carts. Only problem is that it said the vehicles were meant to transport the infirm, but then went and used it for its obvious purpose on the golf course.
THE ARMY is known for its innovative ideas especially as it operates in remote areas with scarce resources. The institution, however, cannot be allowed to extend this innovativeness to procuring vehicles under the guise of transporting patients and then use these vehicles as golf carts. But this is exactly what the Army has done, according to a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which pulled up the Army for misusing special financial powers.
In its report tabled in Parliament on Friday, the CAG said that in 2006, the Western Command chief procured five electric multi-utility (EMU) vehicles for Rs15.60 lakhs (under the Army commanders’ special financial powers) for transporting aged and handicapped patients. These financial powers were given to them by the government in order to facilitate the procurement of equipment for its operational requirements, counter-insurgency operations and internal security duties.
The Western Command chief procured these vehicles; three motorised carts were issued to the Command Hospital, Chandimandir and one each to military hospitals in Amritsar and Jammu. The three carts in Chandimandir in turn were issued to Shivalik Golf Course. The CAG said that examination of the specifications of the motorised carts as indicated in the supply order, revealed that the EMUs were actually golf carts, which were purchased under the guise of electric multi-utility vehicles.
In a similar case in 2008, the Western Command chief procured 22 Track Alignment Reconnaissance Vehicles (TARV) for Rs1.01 crores. The vehicles were sanctioned for use by the regiment of engineers. The equipment was purchased from a sports firm supplying golf equipment. The CAG said 22 vehicles were issued to nine engineer regiments. Apart from their normal duties, these regiments were responsible for the maintenance of golf courses at Chandimandir, Ambala, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Though the TARVs were shown as procured for engineer regiments, the specifications indicated that these were intended for use on the golf course.
The Defence Ministry said in September 2008, that the commercially available golf carts facilitated noiseless reconnaissance in close proximity to the enemy and helped in quick-laying of track material, which enhanced operational capability. The audit, however, observed that four of the 22 vehicles were actually handed over to the Shivalik Golf Course. Further, there were no documents to show that these vehicles were ever used for laying of tracks in operational areas.
The CAG said since operation and maintenance of golf courses is a non-government activity, purchase of golf carts from defence funds in these two cases indicate mis-utilisation of Rs1.17 crores of public money for non-public purpose by misrepresenting the facts.
The Western Command chief procured these vehicles; three motorised carts were issued to the Command Hospital, Chandimandir and one each to military hospitals in Amritsar and Jammu. The three carts in Chandimandir in turn were issued to Shivalik Golf Course. The CAG said that examination of the specifications of the motorised carts as indicated in the supply order, revealed that the EMUs were actually golf carts, which were purchased under the guise of electric multi-utility vehicles.
In a similar case in 2008, the Western Command chief procured 22 Track Alignment Reconnaissance Vehicles (TARV) for Rs1.01 crores. The vehicles were sanctioned for use by the regiment of engineers. The equipment was purchased from a sports firm supplying golf equipment. The CAG said 22 vehicles were issued to nine engineer regiments. Apart from their normal duties, these regiments were responsible for the maintenance of golf courses at Chandimandir, Ambala, Jalandhar and Amritsar. Though the TARVs were shown as procured for engineer regiments, the specifications indicated that these were intended for use on the golf course.
The Defence Ministry said in September 2008, that the commercially available golf carts facilitated noiseless reconnaissance in close proximity to the enemy and helped in quick-laying of track material, which enhanced operational capability. The audit, however, observed that four of the 22 vehicles were actually handed over to the Shivalik Golf Course. Further, there were no documents to show that these vehicles were ever used for laying of tracks in operational areas.
The CAG said since operation and maintenance of golf courses is a non-government activity, purchase of golf carts from defence funds in these two cases indicate mis-utilisation of Rs1.17 crores of public money for non-public purpose by misrepresenting the facts.
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