CAG report on T-90 tanks goes to PAC sub-committee

NEW DELHI: A CAG report which slammed the Defence Ministry for failing to install air conditioners in Russian-built T-90 tanks causing degradation has been referred to a sub-panel of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee for closer scrutiny.

The PAC has decided to form three sub-committees this year, including on Defence, Direct and Indirect Taxes and Railways.

The CAG report on 'non installation of air conditioners in tanks' has been referred to the sub-committee for closer scrutiny. The report of the sub-committee will be examined by the full committee of the PAC before it makes recommendations to Parliament.

In its report tabled in Parliament earlier this year, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had pulled up the Defence Ministry for ignoring the recommendation of a trial team and inducting Russian--made T--90 tanks without air conditioners, which caused "degradation" in their performance due to long exposure to heat and dust.

The other issue to be considered by the sub panel on Defence is CAG's report on 'improper management of defence land'.

The sub-committee on 'Direct and Indirect Taxes' will scrutinise service tax returns and irregular utilisation of CENVAT credit.

The Railways sub-committee of PAC will examine government's principal auditor's reports on 'rationalisation of routing of freight traffic carried over longer route', 'Metro Railway: injudicious decision of introduction of smart card' and 'maintenance of locomotives in Indian Railways'.

Sub-committees on key issues help PAC make faster recommendations to Parliament.