Will the Minister of SPACE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether transparency, accountability, fairness and competitiveness are ensured in the purchase of equipment and materials in the Department of Space;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the measures taken to ensure the above;

(c) whether instances of corruption/mismanagement in purchase have come to the notice of the Government; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?
ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY):

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The transparency, accountability, fairness and competitiveness in purchase of equipment and materials in Department of Space are ensured through a system of competitive tendering, objective evaluation of tenders, scrutiny and approval by purchase committees consisting of senior level functionaries, pre-auditing and sound contract management and monitoring practices. The Department has prescribed a purchase procedure drawn up based on provisions of General Financial Rules, 2005 (GFR 2005) & guidelines of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and is uniformly followed in the purchases of all equipment and materials in the Department. Further, the Department has issued instructions in November 2008 to all the Centres/Units of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reiterating the need to scrupulously follow the prescribed

purchase procedure and specifically on preparation of procurement plans consolidating the requirements; continuous evaluation and updation of the vendors list to provide equal and fair opportunity; specifying target timelines for various stages in procurement to reduce the procurement lead times and various other steps in order to make the procurement process more economical, efficient and effective.

(c) No, Sir.

(d) Does not arise.

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