Reacting to the news report “DGP flouted rules to buy vehicles worth ? 23 cr” (July 23), the office of Punjab director general of police Sumedh Singh Saini has clarified that 150 Mahindra Scorpio Getaways referred to in the columns were purchased in 2010 when PS Gill was the DGP, and 65 Toyota Innovas were bought in 2010 and 2011 during the terms of Gill and Anil Kaushik, respectively.
The clarification says the ambulances were purchased in 2010 and 2011 when Gill was in office, and the GPS system also installed during Gill’s term.
HT had quoted the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India tabled in the Punjab assembly on Tuesday. The CAG had audited the purchase of vehicles between 2010 and 2013 and not given the yearwise breakdown.
It had, however, mentioned that replies were sought from the office of the present DGP and received in June, August and September 2013. The report stated the replies to be either “not received” or “unacceptable”.
In a clarification issued here on Wednesday, Saini’s office said the report of the Accountant General of Punjab mentioned clearly 2010 and 2011 as years of purchase when he was not DGP. It adds that 66 Mahindra Xylos were purchased in 2012 when he was the DGP.
Regarding this purchase, the accountant general report mentioned: “The purchase committee proposed (June 2012) Mahindra Xylo or Tata Sumo Grande in the sequence of their preference. Before placing the purchase order on these recommendations, another purchase committee was formed, which proposed (in July 2012) Mahindra Scorpio. But the DGP ordered (in August 2012) to purchase 66 Mahindra Xylos on the ground of it being more economical than Mahindra Scorpio.”
{{/usCountry}}Regarding this purchase, the accountant general report mentioned: “The purchase committee proposed (June 2012) Mahindra Xylo or Tata Sumo Grande in the sequence of their preference. Before placing the purchase order on these recommendations, another purchase committee was formed, which proposed (in July 2012) Mahindra Scorpio. But the DGP ordered (in August 2012) to purchase 66 Mahindra Xylos on the ground of it being more economical than Mahindra Scorpio.”
{{/usCountry}}It claimed that cheaper vehicles were purchased on the recommendation of the officers of the provisioning wing that deals with the purchases. It says 69 vehicles were purchased for the price of 66, at the DGS&D (Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals) rate contract under the prescribed procedure; and that no purchase committee is required for a DGS&D rate contract purchase.
Regarding previous purchases, the DGP office said the matter was being examined and the office of the additional director general of police (ADGP), provisioning, would take it up appropriately with the office of the accountant general.