New Delhi, July 9 (Inditop.com) The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has lost Rs.65.58 lakh in equipment purchases for various international airports, the country’s official auditor said Thursday.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report tabled in parliament that AAI purchased X-Ray baggage inspection systems (X-BIS) that screen the luggage of passengers at airports for Delhi and Mumbai airports despite the government’s efforts to privatise these airports.
“In January 2005, while considering the requirement of X-BIS machines, Mumbai and Delhi airports were not considered by the authority as the proposal for their privatisation was in the advanced stage. The authority, however, approved (June 7, 2005) the proposal for procurement of spares based on these machines,” the report said.
“It (AAI) placed orders for the spares for these machines at a total value of Rs.3.35 crore including spares of Rs.65.58 lakh and Rs.85.5 lakh for Delhi and Mumbai airports respectively,” it added.
The CAG report also pointed to delay on the part of AAI to get the insurance cover done on the basis of the current valuation of its assets at the Mumbai airport.
It further noted delay in finalising new contracts for duty-free shops at four airports, which led to a loss of revenue of Rs.5.15 crore.
