Procurement of two transport aircraft for BSF may be scrapped

New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The government is likely to scrapthe ambitious multi-million dollar deal to procure two largetransport aircraft for the BSF from abroad following emergenceof certain discrepancies in documents and alleged forgery inthem.

Official sources said the government will also float a newinternational tender for procuring the big air machines.

The deal had hit rough weather just before finalisation inDecember last year after certain alleged discrepancies came tolight in connection with technical specifications, forcing theHome Ministry and Indian Air Force (IAF) to order an enquiry.

Sources said the authorities have decided to go for freshtendering to eliminate all discrepancies while the enquiriesalready ordered will find out the complicity of individualsinvolved.

The planes were to transport troops, equipment and otherlogistical requirements.

IAF sources said an enquiry was instituted into the matterin the last week of December. The Home Ministry has alsoordered an enquiry after it was found that BSF documents werepossibly tampered with, the sources said.

They said the discrepancies came to light recently duringnegotiations with an international firm, which had showninterest in the multi-million dollar deal.

The sources said during the negotiations, which were infinal stages, it was noticed that certain changes in technicalspecifications including radar systems were made. Those paperscarried signatures of Air Force officials.

They said the inquiry will look into whether signatureswere forged or someone had signed without taking the entiretechnical committee into confidence.

The government had in 2009 approved the expansion plans ofthe Air Wing of the BSF.

Under the plan, the BSF was to induct eight helicoptersand three aircraft for patrolling the borders and to transportmen and material in case of emergency.