Failure to give UPS led to Rs 1 cr equipment's breakdown: CAG

Failure of the Maharashtra government's Home Department to provide stabiliser, UPS and de-humidifier for 'Raman Spectrophotometer', purchased at a cost of Rs 1.09 crore, resulted in its breakdown, according to a CAG report.
The failure also rendered the equipment idle for a prolonged period, besides causing a liability of Rs 26.90 lakh towards purchase of new spare parts, the CAG report tabled in the state Legislature yesterday said.
The Director, Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Mumbai (DFSL) submitted in August 2008 a proposal to the state Home Department, for purchase of 'Raman Spectrophotometer' (equipment).
The equipment was intended for conducting chemical, physical and biological analysis of collected samples to facilitate comparative study of test results, trace analysis and chemical and physical examination of the samples.

The equipment had a wide range of applications such as identification of explosives, narcotic drugs, other drugs detection, ink analysis, polymer identification etc.
In September 2008, the department accorded administrative approval for Rs 1.30 crore for purchase of the equipment.

Tenders were invited in August 2008 and the only bid of M/s LABINDIA Instrument Private Limited, Thane, the sole distributor of M/s Renishaw, Plc, United Kingdom (supplier) was approved in January 2009 by a purchase committee headed by the Director, DFSL.
Accordingly, a supply order was placed (February 2009) on M/s Renishaw Plc, United Kingdom for supply of one number of equipment at a cost of GBP 149,587 (Rs 1.09 crore).

In September 2009, the instrument was installed and commissioned at the office of the DFSL, Mumbai.