Question : MISUSING OF FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF ARMS

(a) whether the Government are aware of the purchase of consumer items from the funds given to Eastern Command during 1998 to 2001 for meeting terrorist activities to purchase arms @ Rs. 10 crore annually to the tune of Rs. 6.79 crore as has been brought out in the Dainik Jagaran of March 29, 2002;

(b) if so, the facts thereof;

(c) whether the signal channel radio relay long distance satellite could not be set up due to diversion of the funds;

(d) if so, the action taken by the Government against the persons responsible for misusing the money meant for purchasing arms to meet terrorist threat in the Command;

(e) the measures taken to avoid recurrence of the same;

(f) whether there is any proposal to order a thorough checking of the expending of public money in the purchase of other consumer and stationery items at higher than the market rates; and

(g) if not the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) & (b): Purchases made by Headquarters Eastern Command in exercise of the financial powers delegated to them for Counter Insurgency include only items related to counter insurgency operations.


(c) The Long Distance Satellite Terminals were set up and there was no diversion of funds for procurement of items unrelated to counter-insurgency operations.

(d) & (e): Not applicable.

(f) No, Sir.

(g) Adequate systems for audit of Government expenditure and follow up thereon already exist.