GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 842

ANSWERED ON:08.08.2013

COMPLAINTS OF IRREGULARITIES

ANANT KUMAR HEGDE

(a) whether there has been an increase in the number of graft complaints in the Railways against their employees during the last few years;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Railways thereto and the total number of such cases came to the notice during the last three years and the current year, employees category-wise from Class-IV to I and year-wise along with the quantum of amount allegedly involved therein;

(c) the total number of employees found guilty during the said period and action taken against them; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Railways to check such cases in future in their organization? Will the Minister of RAILWAYSbe pleased to state:-

 MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY)

 (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) A complaint may involve officials of different categories. Therefore, category wise complaints are not maintained in the Vigilance Organisation of the Railways. During the year 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (upto May), 6260, 6735, 8421 and 3337 complaints respectively were received. As a result of intensive vigilance checks carried out in the thrust area of Traffic Undercharges and Staff payment, Leakage of Revenue to the tune of Rs.98.74 crores, Rs.77.16 crores and Rs. 53.51 crores were detected during 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.

(c) 6559, 7372, 7450 and 2066 officials were punished during the years 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013 (upto May) respectively as a result of complaints investigation and preventive checks/surprise checks.

(d) Railways have a robust vigilance organization, which works continuously to curb corrupt practices. Several steps have been initiated to expand the role of technology in decision making and to improve systems to ensure greater transparency and accountability. As a part of leveraging technology, e-procurement and e-tendering have been started. In-motion weighbridges have been installed at rake loading points and roadside stations to prevent overloading cases. System improvements are suggested from time to time by the Vigilance organizations and their implementation is monitored at the apex level. In order to prevent irregularities regular preventive and decoy/surprise checks are conducted and suitable disciplinary action is taken against officials found responsible for such irregularities.