New Delhi: Delhi govt has set up a committee to inquire into its irrigation and flood control department’s plan to procure two ‘VIP boats’ amid questions over their necessity, price and the approval process.The boats were proposed to be used by dignitaries for frequent inspections of the health of the Yamuna.The probe panel will be headed by Delhi financial commissioner Prashant Goyal. The engineer-in-chief of Public Works Department (PWD) will be one of the members, sources said.It has been tasked with examining whether there is any requirement for the high-end speed boats priced at around Rs 3.1 crore each, and whether adding luxury features is justified given the limited navigable stretch of the river in Delhi, the sources added.The committee has also been asked to study how a tender for the boats was floated on March 12 without keeping the concerned minister in the loop, an official said.The inquiry will also probe the basis and calculations behind the estimated cost and scrutinise how technical specifications of the boats were decided. It will further examine whether any detailed project report was prepared prior to initiating the procurement.The panel, which will submit its report within 15 days, has been directed to investigate the approval process and identify officials involved in seeking quotations from private vendors. It will also verify whether the tender adhered to prescribed rules and procedures, and whether the entire procurement process complied with the CPWD manual and general financial rules.According to the tender notice, the department specified that each boat should be designed to accommodate 16 to 20 people and measure 13 metres in length, 4.3 m in width and 2.1 m in height.Other specifications included an enclosed cabin, cassette-type rooftop marine ACs, customised business-class push-back VIP seats, a pantry, washrooms and freshwater storage capacity of 400 litres. Each vessel was also to feature an open rear deck with sofas for three to four people, intended for public appearances of dignitaries.The bidding process was scheduled to conclude by March 19, with procurement expected to take another five months after finalising the supplier. However, govt has now shelved the plan, the official said.Irrigation and flood control minister Parvesh Verma did not respond to calls and messages seeking his comment on the issue.
