It’s a growing practice in a number of Commonwealth countries – independent deal monitors outside of official auditing offices whose role is to scrutinize the defense procurement process and certify the process as fair. India, which has traditionally had a very difficult time getting defense deals completed, has now taken a more permanent version of that step. After consultations with the Central Vigilance Commissioner, and in light of the 2006 procurement reforms, Defence Minister A K Antony has announced that independent monitors have been appointed to vet all major defence deals of value exceeding more than Rs 100 crore (1 billion rupees, or about $24 million). PTI report via Times of India.
In his written statement, the Minister said the 3 monitors appointed so far are:
* T R Prasad, former Cabinet Secretary
* P C Rawal, former Secretary to the Government of India
* Hemendra Kumar, former Special Secretary to the Government