New Delhi, Feb 20 (CNN-IBN): In a major security breach that could embarrass the previous Congress-United Progressive Alliance government, an internal enquiry report has revealed that certain security features were allegedly compromised during the printing of Indian currency, and the lapses were kept under wraps by senior officials working under Ministry of Finance. The incident took place in 2012 under the then UPA government.

As per experts, the use of a security thread is the most distinguishing feature of bank notes. But the then Indian government had allegedly compromised on it.

The enquiry report shows that the security thread inserted in currency paper at the Hoshangabad Security Paper Mill were from an Islamic nation and the defect in the paper intended for 10 rupee notes was reported on November 8, 2012 but kept a secret.

The report also says the examination of the 10 rupee notes showed indecipherable text on the security thread, the notes either had Arabic text inscribed on the security thread or did not have any security thread at all. The security thread was also found to be non-magnetic when examined on a quality control device.

The currency paper with defective security thread initially escaped at least four to five quality checks. It was later found that four boxes of sheets had defective currency paper. With 5000 sheets in a box and 50 notes printed on each sheet it amounts to 10 lakh defective notes been printed.

The serious lapse was kept under wraps by senior officers at Security Paper Mill and Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India for over three months and no report was sent to either thr Home Ministry or the Finance Ministry.

Aristocraft International Ltd, the New Delhi based company, which supplied the defective security thread faced no action. Aristocraft MD Anshu Mittal refused to comment on the alleged lapses.

Officers also allowed the supplier to change the security thread stock without punitive action. Even now no action has been taken against the officers or the supplier. SPMCIL CMD MS Rana also refused to comment on it.