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 jawansin alleged violation of normsin the medical wing of the home ministry.

Sourcessaid an internal inquiry is currently underway after few directors(medical)of various forces wrote objecting to the procurement. The procurement was madein 2010 by theoffice 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. Among the other items that were procured under the same fund include office table, visitor chair, executive chair, centre tableworthRs14,0000,sofa set(teakwood),corner display unit and cabinet for Rs 95,000, furnishing fabric Rs 23,000 and miscellaneous items like handle fitting, polish work, flower vase, acrylic desk and planters for Rs 16,000.

Thetotalbillstands atRsfivelakh.Interestingly, the procured items – under the HIV/ AIDS awareness kit procurement head – now adorn the office of the ADG (medical) at the ITBP camp in New Delhi.

Sources said that no audio visual aid was created at this office, as mandated under the sanctioned budget, as already an HIV/AIDS centre for the troopers of paramilitary forces exists at the Indo–Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) base hospital, which functions from the same building. AGENCIES