MHA's growing list of procurements for Homeland Security

[Abingdonboy]

New Delhi: The growing concerns for the homeland security in the recent times not only foresee the challenges that the country is about to face, but also encourages the government to increase the resources manifold in this sector. The demand for modernisation of the police forces and the security equipment has gone up dramatically in the recent times, especially after the terror attacks in Mumbai and New Delhi.

Some journals estimate the investments into the private security industry to be around USD 12.3 billion while the total estimate that country is planning to spend stands close to USD 30 billion by the year 2016. The major segment of this investment, however, is set to flow into the modernisation of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and a part of it flows to the state polices organisations. Various other sectors like airport security, surveillance projects, integrated security systems etc are also rapidly increasing their footprints in the Indian homeland security matrix.

The ministry of home affairs is now planning to buy and wet-lease helicopters to assist its forces as the entire fleet of Dhruv helicopters has been grounded after several mishaps. “We have authorised wet leasing of helicopters. We are also looking to buy some helicopters. This is a long-term project for which money must be made available”, home minister Chidambaram said while presenting the monthly report card in February. Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force will help the paramilitary and the police forces till the alternative arrangements are made. The new helicopters will be mainly utilised for the anti-Maoist operations, in addition to some non-combatant functions like transporting essential goods, transporting injured personnel, etc.

Funds amounting to Rs 397.42 crore were sanctioned for the purchase of arms and ammunition and equipment for the CAPFs, states the MHA monthly report. Ammunition and the equipment include hand-held laser range finder, different types of vehicles, SUV mounted communication jammer, Passive Night Vision (PSV) weapon sight etc. The report also allocates funds to procure high-end equipment for the comfort of the policemen such as the jungle shoes, helmets, and the uniforms that suits the operations in extreme weather.

Recent sanctions by the MHA for the force modernisation, proves the fact that the ministry is indeed very focussed on the internal security concerns. Sanction amounting to Rs 61,98 crore has been given to BSF for procurement of 16,791 Digital VHF/UHF hand held radio sets. Besides, sanction amounting to Rs 2,35 crore was accorded to NSG for 30 km tactical optical fiber cable with terminal equipment. Also, sanction worth Rs 5,12 crore was accorded to ITBP for 22 high altitude shelters and Rs 20,67 crore was also accorded to ITBP for implementation of wide area network (WAN). Sanction was given for creation of 468 posts for the Integrated Intelligence Wing in CRPF.

Procurement Variables
In the current scenario, the requirement for the modern equipment is huge — ranging from the surveillance equipment for the border guarding roles, to the internal security operations in the most difficult terrains. There is a requirement also for the UAV for some aerial surveillance operations.

The procurement process for the different central police organisations are need based, and varies depending on the size of the contract. Generally, it is done through the ‘rate contracts’ of the DGS&D (Directorate general supplies and disposal) or the direct tenders by the respective forces if it is under the financial competency of the concerned DG of the CPMF.

Prior to December 2006, procurement of all items which were beyond the financial competency of the concerned DG was done centrally by MHA procurement wing based on the requirement projected by the concerned CPMFs. But after 2006, one of the Central Para Military Force (CPMF) has being made nodal agency by MHA which will initiate the action for the procurement of the items listed under them.

For example, the nodal agency for the procurement of weaponry is NSG. CRPF is the nodal agency for the communication equipment and BSF is for the surveillance equipment. Instances like the procurement of the vehicles etc, where the requirement is common to all the CPMFs, the MHA could make one of the force as the nodal agency (generally the force with the largest user of that vehicle or the force with the maximum requirement) and initiate the procurement process through it.

Nodal agencies will make the QRs (Qualitative Requirements)/ specifications of the security related items that are to be procured as per the MHA directives. These QRs made by the nodal agencies are discussed in the standing technical evaluation committee meetings comprising of different technical experts and invariably headed by a senior ranking officer of CPMFs. One member of the BPR&D/ DRDO is also associated to incorporate their technical opinion. The final draft of the QR is then sent to the MHA for the final approval. MHA then vets/ approves the QRs.

During the procurement process, if ballistic or any other trial (such as in the case of BP vehicles/jackets etc) of the subject item is required, then MHA/respective CPMFs may obtain the views of BPR&D/CFSL to sort-out any kind of confusion relating to the trial procedure. The indenting CPMFs may also request the association of technical representatives of BPR&D/CFSL.

With growing homeland security concerns, MHA procurements have become crucial