RTI reveals Rs23 crore spent by Navy on Presidential Fleet Review 2011

Moneylife, May 23, 2012 

New Delhi: A RTI reply from the Navy Headquarters to Delhi-based activist Subhash Agrawal has revealed that more than Rs23 crore was spend on the event which took place on 20 December 2011

The President's Fleet Review (PFR) 2011, held off the Mumbai coastline, cost the Navy whopping Rs23.24 crore, a Right to Information (RTI)application has revealed.

As the president of India is the supreme commander of the armed forces, he/she is entitled to inspect his/her fleet. PFR is a traditional assembly of ships, submarines and naval aircraft (in a fly past) at anchorage, according to India Strategic. It is held once during the five year tenure of the president.

Delhi-based activists Subhash Agrawal had filed a RTI application with Navy Headquarters seeking total expenditure for the PFR 2011. It was revealed that more than Rs23 crore was spend on the event. This included expenditure under various heads such as repair of submarines, hiring of vessels, transport and casual labour; maintenance of marine assets, repair and refits of aircraft related stores, etc. 

Mr Agrawal also sought information on places renovated and/or newly built for PFR 2011 along with budgetary allocation and cost involved on each of such project renovated and/or newly built. 

In reply to this RTI query, Navy HQ furnished the list of such long-term infrastructure development which together cost Rs11.67 crore. Some this includes Rs1.32 crore spent on external painting of buildings and rooftops and repair of buildings; 
Rs1.2 crore spent on relaying roads; Rs41 lakh on the special repairs to the road from Afghan Church to RC Church (near Navy area); Rs27 lakh for the special repair to heritage wall at INS Angre; Rs8 lakh on display board on main roads; Rs49 lakh spent on special repairs to external services and rain beating wall of certain at VIP roads and procurement oflight fittings and cable, refurbishment of tower, street and security lightsamong others.

The RTI reply also stated that Rs26.96 lakh was spent to buy new furniture, including 30 dining tables and 60 dining chairs, furniture for VIP lounge and for cabin staff. To the question on how much cost was involved in catering for the people involved in the fleet review along with tendering process followed in providing contract for catering, it was revealed that together Rs19.68 lakh was spent on the catering. Of this, Rs17.57 lakh was spent on the catering for presidential banquet involving 960 people while Rs2.11 lakh on catering for the presidential yacht/ship involving 750 people.According to PTI, President Pratibha Patil, undertook the fleet review on 20 December 2011, in which she took salute from a flotilla of 81 ships, including four submarines and 44 aircraft of the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.

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