UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2668 VIP HELICOPTER DEAL

Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether the Government had made certain changes in the tender on the technical requirements for procurement of 12 Agusta Westland 101 helicopters for VVIP use;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of the present status of the deal;

(d) whether the Government has initiated any inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the said deal;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the present status of the investigation; and

(f) the steps taken / proposed to be taken by the Government to expedite the investigation and punish the guilty?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) & (b) After issuance of Request For Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 12 VVIP / VIP Helicopters, certain changes, with the approval of the competent authority in terms of Defence Procurement Procedure-2006, have been made in technical requirements on the basis of the recommendation of the stakeholders to meet the requisite standards of operational safety and security.

(c) to (f) The contract for procurement of 12 VVIP / VIP helicopters was signed with M/s Agusta Westland, U.K. on 8th February 2010. Three helicopters have so far been supplied by the vendor. In view of allegations of irregularities in this procurement, Ministry of Defence has entrusted enquiry into the matter to CBI. The CBI, on conclusion of preliminary enquiry, registered a regular case on 12th March 2013 against 13 persons and 6 firms. The CBI investigation is in progress. Further operation of the Contract has been put on hold.
(a) & (b) After issuance of Request For Proposal (RFP) for the procurement of 12 VVIP / VIP Helicopters, certain changes, with the approval of the competent authority in terms of Defence Procurement Procedure-2006, have been made in technical requirements on the basis of the recommendation of the stakeholders to meet the requisite standards of operational safety and security.

(c) to (f) The contract for procurement of 12 VVIP / VIP helicopters was signed with M/s Agusta Westland, U.K. on 8th February 2010. Three helicopters have so far been supplied by the vendor. In view of allegations of irregularities in this procurement, Ministry of Defence has entrusted enquiry into the matter to CBI. The CBI, on conclusion of preliminary enquiry, registered a regular case on 12th March 2013 against 13 persons and 6 firms. The CBI investigation is in progress. Further operation of the Contract has been put on hold.