DoS failed to utilise satellite comm in healthcare: CAG

The CAG today rapped the Department of Space for not ensuring effective utilisation of satellite communication for providing health services, as it pointed out that only 60 per cent of the 389 telemedicine network centres in the country are operational.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) also lashed out at the DoS for selection of beneficiary hospital.
"The Department of Space (DoS) could not ensure effective utilisation of satellite communication for providing health services to patients in rural and remote areas even after incurring expenditure of Rs 30.18 crore," the government auditor said in its report tabled before the Lok Sabha today.

"Out of the 389 networks establishes, only 150 were operational. In addition, selection of beneficiary hospitals was irregular, satellite capacity for remote and interior areas of the country was inadequate," it said.
The report further stated that Ka band ground terminals amounting to Rs 14.12 crore could not be utilised.
CAG has also pointed out that the DoS did not prepare a definite time based action plan for phasing out a material found to cause failure in propellant tank of launch vehicles.
"This resulted in wasteful expenditure of Rs 3.49 crore towards the cost of one propellant tank and 65 tonnes of the material kept in the stock that ultimately had to be quarantined," the report said.

It was also pointed out that the department waived liquidation damages for delay in supply and commissioning of a system on-board a satellite having limited operational life and thereby "extended undue benefit" to the contractor to the extent of Rs 1.16 crore. Besides the delay in supply, the report stated, resulted in proportionately lesser use of its operational life.