‘Pune police have stock of expired arms, ammunition’

‘Pune police have stock of expired arms, ammunition’

Pune: An audit report prepared by the Principal Accountant General Audit, Pune zonal office, has revealed that the Pune police made no efforts to surrender expired arms and ammunition. There are lakhs of rounds and weapons in the armoury under preservation. Also, 35,246 cartridges are lying undisposed since June 2017. There are 1,189 .303 and .410 rifles, which are yet to be phased out, thus showing shortcomings in adherence to the government’s weapons policy. 

Activist Vihar Durve had sought the inspection reports under Right to Information (RTI) Act. The audit is for the period from October 2016 to January 2018. A copy of the report was given to Pune police commissioner on June 12 this year. The audit was done under section 13 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service  Act.

Shortcomings in adherence to Govt Weapons Policy
According to the audit report, in the backdrop of 26/11 terror attack, the State Home Department resolved on April 15, 2010 to equip Maharashtra Police with advanced arms and ammunition under a new Weapons Policy to tackle crime which, is more lethal and organised, especially in Naxal-infested areas. As per the policy, basic old weapons used by the police i.e.  .303 Rifle and .410 musket were to be replaced by 7.62 Self Loading Rifles (SLR). The phased out rifles and muskets were to be used for general training at training institutions; or sold / issued to the Maharashtra State Security Corporations and other government departments like Forest & Excise.

The audit scrutiny revealed  there were 1,189 number of .303 rifles and 799 number of .410 musket rifles lying at the armoury as on January 31, 2018 under preservation. The Commissioner of Police, Pune office was also in possession of stock of expired arms and ammunition including revolvers, 9-mm pistols, anti-riot guns, tear gas guns.

“No effort was made by the department to surrender this stock of expired arms and ammunition. The bullet cartridges accumulated after training sessions or during the course of performance of police related activities are to be disposed of regularly owing to the high value the metal fetches. The scrutiny of stock register relating to cartridges revealed that 35,246 cartridges are lying undisposed since June 2017. The reason for the same was asked during the audit. In reply, the department stated that compliance would be done. Further progress awaited,” the report states.

CCTV project - Premature declaration as completed project and short levy of penalty of Rs 4.1 crore 
The State government vide a resolution dated January 14, 2013 decided to implement video surveillance system in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to enhance safety and security. The contract was awarded to M/s Allied Digital Services Ltd. 

A total of 1,299 cameras (1007 fixed box, 66 ANPR and 226 PTZ) have been installed at 444 locations. The live videos can be seen from command centres at the police commissioner’s office, and live video viewing centres at police stations, DCP and Add CP offices,  PMC, PCMC and Collector’s office.

Audit report findings of CCTV project 
“The work of installation of the CCTV cameras was to be completed within 42 weeks from date of agreement. i.e. by July 15, 2014. However, the work was not completed till October 27, 2015. Some portion of the work remains to be executed i.e. the work of Rs 214.46 crore completed out of estimated cost of Rs 225 crore. Considering the financial position of the integrator (company), the government decided to declare the project as functional with effect from October 27, 2015 and released 20% payment of Rs 42.5 crore as immediate payment treating project ‘Go Live’ along with first installment of Rs 60.37 crore on October 27, 2015 in accordance with payment terms. As such, the integrator is benefited by declaring completion of the project prematurely. Thus, undue benefit was given to the integrator.”
It added, “In accordance with the report submitted by M/s  PWC Company, the penalty amount for delay in execution of the work was worked out at Rs 6.46 crore for 79 days. However, the State government decided on Rs 2.36 crore vide government resolution (GR) dated 05-10-2018. Thus there is a short levy of Rs 4.1 crore which resulted in undue benefit to the integrator.  These facts were brought to notice for justification. In reply, the department stated that appropriate action would be taken and compliance would be furnished to audit.”

Police yet to recover Rs 26 crore escort charges for last 10 years
The Commissioner of Police provides police protection to government/ autonomous bodies / private organisation / institutions on demand. Further, Government of Maharashtra ordered  the office of the Commissioner of Police to collect escort charges in advance. The audit report states: “Scrutiny of related records revealed that an amount of Rs 26.12 crore was pending to be recovered as of January 2018 on account of police personnel provided for protection to 30 outside agencies during the period from 2009 to January 2018. Thus, non-collection of charges before providing police personnel for such work was against the government norm. The action taken by the department for recovery of escort charges was asked during audit. In reply, the department stated that correspondence has been made for recovery of pending escort charges and escort charges would be recovered.”

When contacted, Pune Police Commissioner Dr K Venkatesham told Sakal Times, “We will study and comply with all the observations of CAG as early as possible.” He had taken charge of Pune city police in August this year. 

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