Thursday, December 13, 2012

CBI Probing Cases of Corruption Against PSU Heads


CBI probing cases of corruption against heads of top PSUs


New Delhi: The CBI is probing cases of corruption against heads of top PSUs, including matters against former CMDs of Hindustan Copper and Coal India, for alleged misappropriation of funds, bribery and favouritism in award of contracts, Lok Sabha was informed today.

A case is under verification against HCL's former CMD Shakeel Ahmed for alleged "corruption" in allotting tender for developing underground mine at Malajhkhand district Balaghat Copper project, Minister of State in PMO V Narayanasamy told the Lower House in a written reply.

The CBI has also referred a matter to Chief Vigilance Commission and Ministry of Coal against CIL's former Chief Partha S Bhattacharyya for allegedly accepting car as a gift and causing "wrongful loss to BCCL in the matter of transfer of coal block to Bengal Emta Coal Mines," he said.

Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) is a subsidiary of world's largest coal miner, Coal India.

Likewise in another complaint pertaining to BEML chief VRS Natarajan for "irregularities in awarding tender for transport of Heavy Earth Moving Equipments," the CBI has forwarded the matter to the Ministry of Defence for necessary action, Narayanasamy said.

It is also verifying a complaint against Cement Corporation of India CMD RP Tak for allegedly entering into
corrupt practices in award of contract of purchase and sale of cement, besides investigating a case against National Textile Corporation CMD K Ramachandran Pillai.

Narayanasamy said a complaint regarding "misuse of official position in grant of sanction of reward to the wife of Managing Director through ICAI" by Oil India CMD has been forwarded to the Joint Secretary and CVO of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for taking necessary action in September.

Also, he added the agency is probing cases against NALCO's former CMD A K Srivastav for allegedly indulging in corruption in recruitment and other cases besides forwarding a complaint to CVC and Chief General Manager-Incharge RBI for "irregularities in issuing loan" by Corporation Bank's former CMD RN Pradeep.

Narayanasamy further said that apart from CBI, a high-level government panel has recommended action in 218 cases.

"Of the total 285 complaints received, the committee till date has held 17 meetings and considered total of 240 complaints and recommended appropriate action in 218 cases," he said.

The action was recommended by a Group of Officers, headed by Secretary Coordination, Cabinet Secretariat, which took a view on complaints against chief executives and functional directors of PSEs and CMDs and functional directors of public sector banks and financial institutions.

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