Tatra scam: CBI likely to inspect BEML facilities again

The CBI is likely to carry out another round of inspection of BEML facilities in connection with the alleged irregularities in the controversial Tatra truck supply deal.

The agency wants to carry out inspection of BEML facilities to clarify some new facts which have emerged during its probe of the scam, CBI sources said.

The CBI had last month carried out detailed inspection of BEML facility in Bangalore which had revealed that the PSU had done very little to 'indeginise' Tatra trucks supplied by the Czech manufacturer despite a clause in the agreement.

The sources said the inspection of BEML facility in Bangalore showed that the plant, where the fitting of the trucks take place, was in a very primitive stage and no substantial indigenisation work was undertaken by the PSU.

They said despite the clause of indigenisation and upgrade of technology in the original agreement signed with Tatra, a.s., the process remained way behind satisfactory levels.

The sources said the trucks, which are now assembled by the BEML and supplied to army, have "not performed well in higher altitude and despite red flags raised by Army several times, the PSU continued supplying older technology vehicles."

The agency is probing alleged irregularities in assigning supply from erstwhile Czechoslovakia-based Tatra, with which the agreement was originally signed in 1986, to the Tatra- Sipox UK owned by Ravinder Rishi in 1997 showing it as Original Equipment Manufacturer and the fully-owned subsidiary of the Czech company which was against rules, they said.