CAG doubts SPC’s fiscal probity in procurement-THE HINDU-13-02-2020

News:

The finding triggered television news breaks and prompted the Opposition to highlight its national security implication.

NIA probe sought:

He said the CAG's report also necessitated an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation against Mr. Behera. The CAG said the SPC had ‘persistently’ violated Modernisation of Police Force guidelines by purchasing bulletproof luxury vehicles for VVIP use instead of vans for the law enforcement.

The findings

Ideally, the SPC should have used the funds to make up for the dire deficit of vehicles in police stations. The CAG found that the police headquarters had diverted funds meant for construction of staff quarters for subordinate officers to build luxury villas for the SPC and Additional Director General of Police. The auditors determined that the Police Department had repeatedly violated Store Purchase Manual norms and guidelines issued by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner in the procurement of a wide range of costly equipment.

CM refutes charge:

The Congress sought to politicise the CAG’s findings with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Mullappally Ramachandran demanding an anti-corruption probe against Mr. Behera.