Corrupt practice to curb the corruption in the Railways

The officer alleged to be responsible for outstanding dues, is now given the charge to investigate the complaint against himself

RTI activist Ajay Bose had filed a complaint on 18.10.2019, received by Vigilance branch of Central Railway on 22.10.2019 and confirmation taken on 30.10.2019 by the vigilance branch, against Narendra Panwar, SrDCM, Mumbai Division, Central Railway, CSMT for causing loss of crores of rupees to the Railway Exchequre by deliberately not recovering License fees from Advertisement Contractors.

Also many files pertaining to advertisement outstanding went missing, the Vigilance department authenticated his complaint for further investigation and Railway Board on advice of CVC, started investigation on this Complaint.

All letters and documents obtained through RTI regarding investigation is in the possession of RailSamachar. Whereas the investigation is going on on the above case, in between on Wednesday, 1st July 2020, Narendra Panwar SrDCM, Mumbai Division, CSMT is now posted as Deputy Chief Vigilance Officer/Traffic (DyCVO/T) Central Railway.

Surprisingly, Railway Board Vigilance has also been transferred this complaint against Narendra Panwar, forwarded by CVC/PMO vide letter no. 141963/2019/Vigilance-1, dated 14.11.2019, to GM/Vigilance (SDGM), Central Railway on 03.01.2020 for detail investigation and further action.

RTI Reply received on 01/07.10.2019 from the office of SrDCM Mumbai division, CSMT reveals massive scam in contract allotted to Advertisement Agencies as many have defaulted on payments of Licence fees, also files of some advertisement agencies who have defaulted have gone missing from the office of SrDCM, Mumbai Division, CSMT.

The above position is raising suspicion that whether it was a deliberate act or scam on the part of some officials of SrDCM office to make the file missing to protect some contractors of Advertising Agency who defaulted on payments, and why the SrDCM, Mumbai division, CSMT, Narendra Panwar did not lodge FIR when files were found to be missing?

The Government exchequer has suffered a loss of Rs. 1,93,24,918 = Rs. 61,09,047, Files Missing + Rs. 1,32,15,871, and the matter under arbitration since last 6-7 years.

It is the duty of SrDCM/Mumbai division to recover this licence fees when contract is in operation and not wait till contract expires for recovery of licence fees.

The pertinent question is now who will pay this outstanding amount of Rs. 1,93,24,918 (Rs. one crore ninety three lakh twenty four thousand and nine hundred eighteen) which is due to the Railway? 

After following the matter, RTI activist Ajay Bose have lodged complaint to CVC, CBI Mumbai and all concerned officials to take action in this matter.

This is a Classic case of “CONFLICT OF INTEREST”. Now Narendra Panwar will investigate into his own complaint filed against him, is the Railway Board serious in what it preaches but fails to practice?

Earlier, “RailSamachar.Com” had published a news item regarding Advertisement scam based on above complaint and RTI, this is the same one, now Narendra Panwar is being appointed as DyCVO/T. This is a corrupt practice to curb the corruption in the Railways and other government departments.

Also read this earlier news item:

Who will pay the crores of the outstanding advertising amount?

Is it not the duty of the SrDCM to recover these license fees? Why the SrDCM did not lodge FIR when files were found to be missing?