Lok Sabha Question No. 2724 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-15
Subject: BPR &amp; D Sponsored Projects
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2724

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2015/AGRAHAYANA 24, 1937 (SAKA)

## BPR & D SPONSORED PROJECTS

## 2724. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether research projects under plan and Non-plan, Training programme in prisons, Government of India fellowships to students and Doctoral work have been sponsored by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and if so, the details thereof along with the criteria adopted to award project to  individuals,  agencies,  marketing  companies,  institutes,  universities  and NGOs;

(b) whether irregularities including financial improprieties have been reported in such projects and if so the details thereof indicating the number of cases wherein more than one project have been sanctioned to same individuals/NGOs/Universities without completion of earlier project and setting of accounts along with the names of such institutions;

(c) whether proposals have been accepted before issue of advertisement and after the expiry of the submission date and if so, the list of all such proposals have financial implications;

(d)  whether  the  Ministry  has  received  any  communication  from  BPR&D  to initiate  action  against  the  defaulters  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the number of corrupt officers including Presidents medal awardees identified and the action taken against them; and

(e)  whether the Government is aware of pending audit paras against BPR&D for  financial  irregularities  and  non-settlement  of  Government  funds  released as advances and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

## LS.US.Q.NO.2724 FOR 15.12.2015

(a):  Yes,  Madam.  Bureau  of  Police  Research  &  Development    (BPR&D),  the subordinate  organization  of  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  sponsors  Research projects, training programmes  for prisons and fellowships for doctoral  work under both Plan and Non-plan schemes.

There  are  prescribed  guidelines  to  be  taken  into  consideration  to  award projects to individuals/institutions/NGOs. As per the prescribed guidelines, as far as possible, the research projects should be entrusted only to authorized and established institutions. In exceptional case the projects may be fanned out to individuals only after obtaining the approval of the Standing Committee on Police Research. As it is difficult to convene the meetings of the Standing Committee  on  Police  Research  for  every  project,  as  per  the  guidelines  the concurrence of at least three Members who are experts in the field is obtained through circulation, among other conditions .

- (b)  &  (c)    :  During  an  internal  review  of  research  project,  a  case  of  use  of forgery  and  fraudulent  method  to  obtain  research  projects  on  'Status  of Correctional  Programme  including  Prison  Industries  on  Reformation  and Rehabilitation of Prisoners' was detected. An amount of ₹ 13,71,154/- released to  the  concerned  person  has  since  been  recovered.  A  CAG  audit  has  been conducted  recently  form  17.09.2015  to  09.10.2015,  report  is  awaited  and response will be initiated after the receipt of final Audit report.
- (d): BPR&D has intimated this Ministry that after review they have issued Show  Cause  notices  to  seven  officers including  two  Presidents  medal awardees who have been found responsible for negligence and dereliction of duties.
- (e)  This  Ministry  has  already  communicated  to  BPR&D  to  furnish  their compliance/replies/Action  Taken  Reports  in  respect  of  all  the  outstanding paras to the Office of the CAG, Internal Audit Wing.

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