New Delhi, January 12: A tender was floated for procuring 59,000 Bullet Proof jackets for the Central Paramilitary Forces. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) under the chairmanship of DG, BPR&D and a Tender Advisory Committee (TAC) under the chairmanship of DG, CRPF were also constituted.
The Tender Evaluation Committee included Shri R.K. Verma, Joint Director, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, a laboratory under the DRDO.
The samples submitted by the qualified bidders were tested in the TBRL. Ballistic tests were conducted under the supervision of Shri R.K. Verma. The TEC submitted its report on the tests to the TAC.
When the matter was under consideration of the TAC, several complaints were received from different sources. A CD purportedly containing conversations between Shri R.K. Verma and one of the bidders was also received. After a preliminary consideration of the complaints and the CD, Home Minister directed on December 23, 2009 that the tender process shall be stayed and that the price bids shall not be opened until further orders.
The complaints and the CD have been examined carefully by the DG, BPR&D. He has reported that Shri R.K. Verma has admitted that it was his voice on the CD. The report of the DG, BPR&D has been considered by the TAC and the TAC has made its recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs. After considering the aforesaid report and the recommendations, MHA has decided:
(1) that the test reports submitted by TBRL be scrapped;
(2) that the bidders may be requested to submit fresh samples which shall be tested afresh;
(3) that the facts of the case may be reported to DRDO to nominate one or more Scientists/Technologists of integrity to conduct the tests on the freshsamples;
(4) that the DRDO may be requested to take suitable disciplinary action against Shri R.K. Verma after holding an enquiry according to law; and
(5) that TEC and TAC may be advised to maintain strict vigilance and ensure scrupulous adherence to the terms and conditions of the tender.
–Agencies