Stink from Railway PSUs

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Editorial Comment:

We published two articles:

26.09.24: “Stink from Northeast Frontier, Part-1”

27.09.24: “Stink from Northeast Frontier, Part-2”

These had brought out how during #project phase many irregular activities are done as these records are usually destroyed before handover. We brought out how game of favourites was played and splitting of work was done to bring the value of #Tender to local levels of decision.

The matter is now under investigation.

This led to a flood of information, often very detailed. The #Whistleblowers are very candid-they are pained by arbitrariness in decision making, unbridled #corruption, refusal of seniors to look in to the #complaints. Railway #Vigilance as we have been repeatedly writing has to work hard to redeem itself. Though #RailwayBoard is purged of the deadly exploitative, extortive #trimurti, still vigilance officers abound in system who have spent multiple tenures in vigilance and revel in sadism or exploitation or both. Continued rewarding of such officers has sent very negative message. This has demoralised the officers and staff to report cases of malfeasance. Increasing instances of #CBI cases is clear indication.

It is under such conditions that conscientious railway officials reach out to us. We are amazed at the detail they share. We hence decided to write a series on railway #PSUs, starting with #IRCON and then on #RVNL and #RailTel.

Following is highlight of a case we tease about now:

  1. Why #tax was paid in #Bangladesh that too out of #LOC proceeds out of Indian funds, when in the first LOC sanction #Policy no tax was to be paid?
  2. When in the first LOC scheme 85 percent of the #goods and #services were to be procured from India which has consideration of plus-minus 10 percent then how it was reduced to 65 percent? And Why the materials like cement, steel, blanketing materials were not procured from India to fulfill the said condition? There is no record shown till date as to even that 65 percent is paid into Indian Bank accounts.
  3. For instance, #steel could have been procured at ₹50 per kg from India but it was procured at ₹150 per kg from M/s #XXX, Bangladesh in multiple contracts, likewise done in #cement, #blanketing materials.
  4. M/s XX was awarded first tender in IRCON without any qualifications, in first two #contract the amount paid by the Said #Contractor appears to be a #HAWALA TRANSACTION as the source is not known which is for payment for border taxes and duties, rail freight Bangladesh and receipts were taken in name of IRCON.
  5. There was a declaration to be required when Mr XXX joined IRCON was that given as regards to any pending #litigation. Did he attend the proceeding of the court at the cost of IRCON funds which is a breach of duty on his part? How IRCON instead of penalising him gave him promotions? Did any higher rank officer gave #NOC to him for the charges against you?
  6. There were about 15 to 20 contracts foreclosed for which the #Performance Guarantee was not forfeited from those #contractors and the #contracts were again awarded to them i.e. same contractors at higher rates, why? There was no check as regards to such foreclosure or is it sharing or meals together with those contractor?
  7. Why theft of rail fitting materials was again compensated to the contractor when it is the duty of the contractor to safeguard the materials procured upto the completion of defect liability period?

Stay tuned…