Uncovering the Northern Railway Fiasco: The Raincoat Scandal Part-2

Dec. 28, 2023: “Safety_scam: Safeguard the lives of Trackmaintainers working tirelessly on tracks”

In the wake of our previous exposé on the collusion between high-ranking officials of #NorthernRailway and M/s #PoddarSales Private Limited regarding the #supply of sub-standard #Raincoats, further alarming revelations have surfaced, which clearly indicates a blatant disregard for #quality control and #accountability. Some interesting and shocking details are given below-

1. Despite our initial report, which shed light on the #dubious practices surrounding the #procurement of #raincoats, it appears that the #NorthernRailway #Vigilance merely conducted random #sample-tests after significant delay, which was nothing but an eye wash.
2. More astonishing is the fact that these tests revealed the raincoats failed the basic #fabric-quality standards, with #cheap-polyester cloth substituted for the specified #nylon-fabric.
3. Despite the #failure of the samples, Northern Railway’s Vigilance department proceeded to authorize the #distribution of the substandard raincoats, even though the need for such supplies was questionable, given the absence of the rainy season.
4. Adding insult to injury, the #quantity of raincoats supplied by M/s. #PoddarSales Private Limited was raised by further 30% of the quantity by way of operating the option clause, which only increases the financial loss incurred by the #Railway, but a loss to tax payers money.
5. Our investigation also discovered the involvement of #RITES inspector Mr. #Palash De, who conducted tests at the firm’s premises, despite the absence of proper testing facilities, non-calibrated instruments to name a few, which implicates him directly in the #scandal.
6. Despite a subsequent visit by RITES’ vigilance team confirming the lack of adequate lab #equipment at the firm’s premises, no action was taken against Mr. De, thus raising serious doubts about RITES’ #integrity and commitment to #accountability.
7. Remarkably, #RITES refused to conduct further inspections at M/s. Poddar Sales Private Limited’s premises, yet the firm attempted to circumvent this by pressuring higher authorities to authorize inspections by alternative agencies, such as the #Textile Committee, which is not endorsed by the #RailwayBoard.
8. This #scandal represents a gross abuse of power and trust, implicating high-ranking officials within Northern Railway, its internal #Vigilance department, #RITES Ltd, and M/s. #PoddarSales Private Limited.

In light of these damning revelations, we call upon the #RailwayBoard to, refer the matter to external investigative agencies like #CBI, to initiate a comprehensive #investigation into this matter.

Furthermore, we urge immediate random testing of the raincoat supplies, with strict adherence to #purchase order #specifications.

Any deviation should result in the rejection of the entire lot to safeguard the interests of the #Railway and ensure #accountability for those involved in this egregious misconduct. To continue..