Govt defends outsourcing of delivery of diplomatic bags

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The government today defended its decision to outsource transportation and delivery of diplomatic bags to a private company, saying the measure was cost-effective without compromising on security aspects.

Replying to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said the government, on July 3, had awarded contract to a cargo handling company, Dadson Global Cargo, for transporting and delivering closed and sealed diplomatic bags from the airlines at the IGI airport here.

The contract had been awarded for an initial period of six months, he said.

Mr Sharma said in view of tightened security requirement at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport requiring prior X-ray, tagging before delivery and other documentation for both outbound and incoming consignments, it was decided that the transportation of diplomatic bags from South Block and Akbar Bhavan, housing the External Affairs Ministry, would better be streamlined by giving it to a professional agency.

''It was also felt that a professional agency would be able to bring about a more efficient system as they would be better equipped to carry out the specialised job,'' he said, adding it would not compromise on security aspects as the mandate of the firm would only be to transport and deliver to and receive from the airlines, at the airport, sealed and diplomatic bags.

The minister said the decision to outsource this service was vetted by the Legal and Treaties Division of the ministry and clearance from Internal Finance Division.

In view of security requirement, a limited tender was floated among 10 companies, including Air India and Department of Posts, and the latter expressed its inability to handle the diplomatic bags outside the postal channel.

Three private companies quoted for the limited tender and Dadson Global cargo was awarded the contract for making the lowest bid of Rs 14,40,000 per annum.

Mr Sharma said every week 600 diplomatic bags are sent abroad and another 300 bags received from diplomatic missions abroad.

''Two officers and four employees were earlier needed for only transporting the diplomatic bags to the airport. In view of abolition of certain vacancies in the ministry, it was decided to outsource this service,'' he said.

''The outsourcing of this job has been found satisfactory. The system is functioning well,'' he added.

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