Question : FACE RECOGNITION BIOMETRICS SYSTEM

(a) whether a tender floated by Air India for Computerized Passengers Face Recognition Biometrics System (CPFRBS) was scrapped due to allegation of bribery and corruption;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has written to the Government for detailed inquiry;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any inquiry has been conducted in this regard; and

(f) if so, the details and the outcome thereof alongwith the action taken/proposed to be taken in the matter?

MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI AJIT SINGH)

(a): No, Madam.

(b): Air India had issued a tender for Computerized Passengers Face Recognition Biometrics system in February, 2006. Because of its expenditure not bearing sufficient value to passengers, the tender was not pursued. There was neither any allegation of bribes or corruption nor was there any complaint from any source. The tender was scrapped in 2009 and the EMD submitted by various parties was returned to them.

(c): No,Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): No,Madam.

(f): Does not arise.