Giving Completion Certificates to Incomplete Works-Case of Corrupt Practice?
Giving completion-certificate when 60% work is yet to be completed is highly questionable!
We were recently given a #whistleblower input.
Certain project in #NorthernRailway has undergone #CRS approval. This is despite S&T works of 5 block sections, 3 block sections are yet to be transferred to open railway-division. Using this Commissioner of Railway Safety (#CRS)-certification, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (#KRCL) has been given certificate by #CSTE/USBRCL that work has been completed.
Now this becomes base for qualifying for #Tender No. RVNL_CDG_TELE_PK1 (IFB No. RVNL/CDG/TELECOM/BNLY-DHAROT/PKG-1 Date 18.03.2025) which involved Design, Supply, Installation Testing & Commissioning of Integrated Communication System for Tunnels (T1-T7) consisting of VHF communication, CCTV, PA System, Emergency Call and Service Telephone & IPIS at stations in connection with New Single Broad-Gauge Rail Line Between the Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Beri Section in the state of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, India.
Plot Thickens
Sanctity of institution of CRS has been put to serious questions especially in light of their eagerness to give sanction to grossly incomplete works. Videos of sections which had no wiring but were given #EIG and #CRS sanctions for railway electrification are fresh in mind.
News of certain CRS accepting expensive gifts is no longer talked in hushed tones. We spoke to #GMNR, we were told that work is complete as CRS inspection has been done and certificate has been obtained.
In instant case when S&T works of 60% of sections has not been accepted, full payments have not been made, bills have not been raised, and documents has not been signed—how can #CSTE of #USBRCL give certificate to #KRCL?
Role of Subletting
PSUs like #Railtel, #IRCON, or #KRCL themselves only have project management skills, they do not have any design skills. All work is sub-contracted, most of the times #back-to-back. It is this nexus which fish for such certificates. Also, when a #PSU bills, its bottomline moves up and the executives get fat bonuses.
It is time that role of #PSUs in #technical-matters be analysed. Also, role of grant of EIG and CRS approvals should be investigated. These are #statutory clearances. Their signatories need to be held to account on highest levels of integrity. #Culture of gifting expensive gifts and accepting them need to be condemned. Accepting #hospitality of those who are inspected is most unethical.
Role of Credential Certification Givers
In the case brought forth by a whistle blower, it needs to be #physically-verified if the works which are shown complete, have been billed and transferred completely. In case this is found to be misrepresentation, then conduct of PSUs which are Government of India entities needs to be examined and corrective action taken.
We do not want to interfere in #tendering-process of railways, but would like #KRCL, #NorthernRailway and #RailwayBoard to examine the facts brought by whistle blower else their own conduct would be questionable.
Giving #completion-certificate when 60% work is yet to be completed is highly questionable.