Government looking into Wireless purchase episode

     Raipur, August 31, 2010: On purchase of crore rupees worth of wireless sets for the police forces, an attempt was being made to compromise on the quality and cost, a top government functionary has alleged.

     Some officers have allegedly ignored the field testing report and also the comparison chart of the products of two separate companies and not only the recommended sets were ignored but also that would cost the government at least Rs 1.40 Lakh per set, a top Home (Police) Department source told ChhattisgarhTopNews.Com.

     For various reasons the wireless purchase file had been pending with the Department since 2008, they said adding a top functionary of the Home Department was said to be secretively probing the matter to submit a detailed report before the Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh.

    According to the sources, four police officers, including Kanker SP Ajay Yadav and other two IPS officers had on their report in 2009 stated that the “Codan sets field test was held on 4^th November 2009 and consequently the BARRETT sets field test was held on 11 November 2009…..We…unanimously agree that CODAN HF sets were more effective under all field situations. We agree that CODAN sets are useful and required for field operations.”

      Sources also claimed that Codan HF would cost Rs 1.40 Lakh less per set compared to Barrett and it would also be cost effective.

     Favouring for Codan, the sources also said the Codan HF sets are being used by the ITBP and Seema Sashastra Bal and Grey Hound Forces of Andhra Pradesh and those organisations are said to be satisfied about its performance.

     The four police officers, including Kanker SP Ajay Yadav had in their report said the Codan sets would even function in wet condition and also have inbuilt microphone and GPS systems, which would be quite helpful at the time of anti-naxal operation.

     The Barrett sets were having not only those disadvantages but also Barrett sets consumes more battery, which means lesser life and may create problem at the time of longer duration operation, the sources claimed.

     “We have received complaint that some people are trying to influence the decision and we are probing the matter from our side and if any wrong doing are noticed that would be report to the Chief Minister,” a top sources in the government said.

      Attempts to talk to the concern people proved futile.