Our forefathers paved a way for a progressive and prosperous nation. That dream can be realised only where there is true adherence to the conscience by its citizens so that righteousness proper can reign.
Institutional framework can happen by ushering in the importance of Time, Technology, Resources- like Manpower, Money, Materials and it is the bounden duty of every vigilant person to see that they are optimally utilised, protected and preserved.
The role and responsibility of Vigilance is immense to see to it that leakages/ wastages do not occur. The adverse impact of corruption is known to all and we should lend our shoulders to the wheel to eradicate / mitigate this menace.
The economic viability of an organisation rests on all and vigilance will aptly facilitate in these aspects; to see that the four pillars of adherence to Rules/ procedure, Specifications (in Tenders etc), Quality (of Products or services), and Time are protected; all aimed towards Organisational Excellence or Corporate Governance by putting into practice the canons of Fairness, Openness, Transparency, and cost consciousness.
I take this opportunity to wish one and all to march forward with:
Faith in mind;
Faith in words and deeds; So as to bring in Pride to the Hearts;
And that is the Pride of Steel…Vizag Steel.
Long live the Republic.
(Dr Vijay Kumar)
Inside…
Vigilance Case Study…..
CVC Circulars …
Glimpses of events organised during VAW 2017 …
• List of Prize Winners - VAW 2017
• Photo Gallery -VAW 2017 News and Events…
• CVO Assumes Office
• Conclave of Vigilance Officers of PSUs at Vizag
• Long Service Awards
• 5S & QMS Audit Checks carried out …
From the desk of CVO...
Examination of a contract pertaining to the work "Maintenance and upkeep of Equipments"
VSP had awarded the work of 'Maintenance and upkeep of some equipments' at a value of 1.70 Crores. Though many agencies are in the field of maintenance of these equipments, only one particular agency was getting awarded the contract for the last 22 years. During examination, it was observed that out of the three or four bids being received, only one specific agency was getting qualified in PQC evaluation & all the other bids received were without EMD and as such they were being disqualified.
Investigation carried out:
1. Verification of tender documents revealed that the Registered Office of the successful bidder and the office address of one of the disqualified bidders, were one and the same, indicating that the disqualified bid was a dubious one and was submitted by the successful bidder himself.
2. Tender documents of the other disqualified bidder were examined. Enquiry revealed that no Firm existed at the office address given in the bid and it was the residential address of the authorized representative of the successful bidder. Thus, it was concluded that this bid was also a dubious one and was submitted by the successful bidder himself.
3. Scrutiny of the tender documents revealed that when envelope of one of the unsuccessful bidders returned undelivered, the concerned dealing officer failed to record the matter in the process note and also did not bring the issue to the notice of his higher-ups.
4. Another prospective bidder had submitted its bid without EMD and was disqualified in PQC evaluation.
5. Further, in the NIT, the annual turnover requirement was indicated wrongly by the concerned dealing officer.
6. A Joint Surprise Inspection was conducted to check the overall functioning of different equipments. The check was carried out by Vigilance Department along with the Engineer-In-Charge & Representative of the agency. It was noted that only a few were in working condition and majority of the equipments were either not working or not functioning properly.
7. As per the Agreement, the Engineer-In-Charge has to ensure periodical inspection of the equipments by the agency and maintain data pertaining to inspection, whereas, the same was not being done by the concerned.
Recommendations of Vigilance:
1. To Ban business dealings with the agency executing the equipments maintenance Contract for submitting dubious bids in two Tenders.
2. To forward the Tender notices to all probable bidders for wider participation and to attract more competition, in all future cases.
3. To reassess the penalty on the agency for non-functioning/mal-functioning of equipments and for not deploying required manpower as per the Terms & Conditions of the Agreement.
4. To initiate RDA for Major Penalty against the concerned dealing officer of Contracts Department.
5. To initiate RDA for Minor Penalty against the Engineer - In- Charge of the work.
6. To ensure periodic inspection of the equipments as per the Terms & Conditions of the Agreement.
7. To maintain all the records as per the Terms & Conditions of the agreement.
8. To initiate proposals for tendering out the works well in advance to ensure awarding of the contracts in time.
Actions taken by the Department on the recommendations of Vigilance:
1. The Department had imposed an amount of 26,23,123/- (Rupees twenty six lakhs, twenty three thousand, one hundred and twenty three) towards penalties. Further, the Department informed that further penalties will be imposed in the final bill of the agency as per the Terms of the Agreement.
2. Disciplinary actions have been taken by the Department against the concerned dealing officer and the Engineer - In- Charge.
3. The Department confirmed that they will ensure adequate supervision and inspection of the equipments as per the Terms & Conditions of the Agreement.
4. The Department confirmed that all the records will be maintained required under the Terms & Conditions of the Agreement.
5. The Department confirmed that the proposals for tendering out the works will be initiated well in advance.
6. The Department banned business dealings with the agency for submitting dubious bids.
7. The Department communicated that it will forward the Tender Notices to probable bidders to attract more competition, in future cases.
VIGILANCE CASE STUDIES
(Outcome of Studies conducted by RINL - Vigilance reproduced for readers benefit)
"Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained" – Mahatma Gandhi 2
"Ultimately, education in its real sense is the pursuit of truth. It is an endless journey through
knowledge and enlightenment" – A P J Abdul Kalam 3
GLIMPSES OF EVENTS ORGANISED DURING THE VIGILANCE AWARENESS WEEK - 2017
In line with the directives of Central Vigilance Commission, Vigilance Awareness Week (VAW)–2017 was observed in RINL from 30th October to 04th November 2017, with the theme “My Vision – Corruption Free India”. The main focus of the programmes organised during the week was to spread awareness among the employees, their dependents, School Children, College Students and other stake holders about their role in preventing corruption.To promote the theme of VAW-2017 and to disseminate awareness against corruption through involvement, several initiatives were taken, which included:
a) Display of Banners, Posters and Hoardings at prime locations in and around the Plant, Mines, Township and also at Colleges/Schools.
b) Elocution and Skit Competitions on the theme “My Vision – Corruption Free India” among the School Children of Ukkunagaram Schools. Elocution/Essay Competitions for children of Schools at Mines and for College Students on the topic “My Vision – Corruption Free India”.
c) Quiz Competition for School Children on the topic “Ethics, Personalities and Integrity”
d) Painting Competition among the students (Juniors & Seniors) of Arunodaya Special School
e) Slogan Competition for the employees and their dependents in Telugu, Hindi & English languages and PPT Competition for the employees on the theme “My Vision – Corruption Free India”
f) Quiz Competition for the Employees on the theme “Ethics, Morals and Integrity”
g) A Brochure containing Messages from Hon’ble President of India, Vice-President of India and Central Vigilance Commission was released during the Vigilance Awareness Week -2017.
The week-long programmes were concluded with the Valedictory Function held on 04th November 2017, with the active involvement of Employees, Stake Holders, Women, Principals and Teachers of Colleges/Schools, and School children.
Chief Guest for the function, Sri Mukul Saran Mathur, IRTS, Divisional Railway Manager, East Coast Railways, Waltair Division, Visakhapatnam, stressed the need to change the attitude and thinking of employees and advised them to practice ethical values so as to achieve good governance and also to curb corruption in the organization. He also said that involvement and commitment of employees would help reduce corruption and enhance the values in the society and checks and balances play a vital role in the organization in achieving the objectives.
Sri P Madhusudan, CMD,RINL observed that corruption adversely impacts society and it is a hindrance to the economic growth and called for constant practice of ethical values to curb the menace of corruption. He said that RINL has been taking several initiatives to uphold the values, transparency in its systems and procedures to enhance good corporate governance. Vigilance department has to play a vital role in this regard. He complimented Vigilance Department for successfully organizing the week long celebrations to create awareness of being honest among all.
Earlier, Sri S Jagannathan, GM(Vigilance) I/c in his welcome address highlighted the activities undertaken during the week.
"Truth is ever to be found in simplicity and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things"
– Isaac Newton 4
n$˙‹ dü+|ü<ä eT+#·TeTTø£ÿ, ìC≤sTTr dü+|ü<ä eHÓï ‘·s¡>∑ì y˚>∑T#·Tø£ÿ.
Prize winning slogan in VAW 2017 competitions 5
nj ÒeueesYeve keÀes keÀjs ojefkeÀveej, F&ceeveoej nes Dee®ejCe nj yeej ~
Prize winning slogan in VAW 2017 competitions 6
n$˙‹ ‹s√>∑‹øÏ |ü⁄Hê~, ìC≤sTTr |ü⁄s√>∑‹øÏ Hê+~.
Prize winning slogan in VAW 2017 competitions 7
Òel³eskeÀ Yeejleer³e jns Kego F&ceeveoej, osMe mes otj keÀjes Ye´äe®eej ~
Prize winning slogan in VAW 2017 competitions 8
Ye´äe®eej cegkeÌle Yeejle nw meyekeÀer efpeccesoejer, ®euees Fme ue#³e keÀer keÀjW YejHetj lew³eejer ~
Prize winning slogan in VAW 2017 competitions
9
10 "People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built"
– Eleanor Roosevelt
ìkÕ«s¡∆ Ms¡T\ ‘ê´>∑<Ûäq+ n+~+#Ó kÕ«‘·+Á‘·´|òü\+, ˙‹ìC≤sTT‹\ Á|ü‹|òü\+ <˚X¯Á|ü>∑‹πø dü|òü\+.
Prize winning slogan in VAW 2017 competitions 11