Premier telecom R038;D body has become irrelevant, says CAG

The comptroller and auditor general CAG today said that the Centre for Development of Telematics C-DOT has lost its relevance in today8217;s global competitive environment as it is not able to develop successful technologies. In view of this, CAG wants the government to review the very existence of C-DOT, which is the premier research and development body in the telecom sector under the ministry of communications and IT.

In its report, CAG has pointed out that out of 23 projects, C-DOT could transfer technology in only eight projects. Of these transferred technologies, manufacturing started in only three cases, while in two cases commercialisation was partially done.

CAG examined 23 projects and observed that technology was not developed in five projects despite incurring an expenditure of

Rs 34.69 crore as four of these projects were dropped and one merged. In one project there was an inordinate delay that led to the loss of relevance and obsolescence of the technology developed and Rs 19.05 crore was wasted in this project.

8220;In the absence of notable success of C-DOT in development, transfer and commercialisation of technology, DoT may review the relevance of C-DOT in today8217;s global competitive scenario,8221; said CAG in the report.