HIV/AIDS Funds for Paramilitary Forces Spent Air Conditioners, LCD Monitors

New Delhi: Air conditioners, LCD monitors and furniture were found to have been purchased from welfare funds meant for buying HIV/AIDS awareness tools for paramilitary jawans in alleged violation of norms in the medical wing of the home ministry. Sources said an internal inquiry is currently underway after few directors (medical) of various forces wrote objecting to the procurement. The procurement was made in 2010 by the office of the additional director general (medical) located at the ITBP base hospital in south Delhi. According to the records of utilization of the budget, two split ACs, two LCD monitors, crockery items, a candle stand and canvas paintings were bought by the medical wing. Documents revealed that a balance budget of Rs 5 lakh was meant "only for procurement of items for audio visual aids and other items for the HIV/AIDS action plan." Sources in paramilitary forces said the funds were allocated to the MHA under a WHO programme to combat the HIV/AIDS menace among the personnel and officials of border guarding/paramilitary forces like the CRPF, BSF, CISF, NSG and the Assam Rifles.