Condom Scam: 90% of Condom Vending Machines missing from Public Places

Condom Scam is the latest addition to the list of Scams in India. A CAG Report tabled in Parliament today indicates that more than 90% of Condom Vending Machines installed at public places are missing.

These Vending Machines were installed by Hindustan Latex on behalf of National Aids Control Organisation for prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

CAG report blames Poor Planning and Implementation by National Aids control society. It also blamed the Ministry of Health for not doing a feasibility study before undertaking the project. The CAG Reports points out that the Sale of Condoms was very low compared to the projections by NACO. The intended objective of improving the accessibility of condoms in high risk areas through CVMs was not achieved despite investment of Rs 21.54 crore under the scheme.

A condom machine is a vending machine for the sale of condoms. Condom machines are often placed in public toilets, subway stations, airports or schools as a public health measure to promote safe sex. Many pharmacies also keep one outside, for after-hours access.

It pointed out that in Phase I of the project, 11,025 CVMs were installed in high-risk areas of which 9,860 machines were not traceable or were lost. The audit found only 1,130 machines traceable but were not functioning.

“As the CVMs installed under Phase I were not insured against theft and damage, thus no recovery/claim could be made in respect of stolen machines,” the CAG report said.

Similarly in Phase II of the project, 1546 machines were damaged, 161 stolen and 1791 could not be installed, the CAG said pointing out that Hindustan Latex was given the work of installation of CVMs by September 2005 for phase 1 and July 2008 for Phase II.

“The hasty manner of release of funds by the Ministry under Phase II without ascertaining the status of CVMs installed earlier was inappropriate,” CAG said.

The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), established in 1992, is a division of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to HIV/AIDS control programme in India through 35 HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Societies, and is “the nodal organisation for formulation of policy and implementation of programs for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.