Amritsar, November 14
The Vigilance Bureau of the Railways has recommended action against three officials of Chhehrta good railway station following the detection of short recovery of freight to the tune of Rs 1.30 crore on outward traffic.
According to highly placed sources in the Railways, the Vigilance Bureau has recommended major penalty action against Mr Jagir Singh for his failure to correctly charge the outward traffic booked by him which resulted in a huge loss of revenue. The bureau has also recommended action against Mr I.S. Bhatia, Commercial Movement Inspector, Amritsar, and Mr R.K. Pathania, Travelling Inspector Accounts, for their alleged failure to detect the scam in their respective periodical inspection statements. Action has also been recommended against Mr Shiv Mohan, Station Superintendent (CIA), for slack supervision.
It was also recommended to recover under charges at the respective destination stations.
Mr Shashi Kant Madan, officiating Station Superintendent, claimed that the irregularities could not be described as “fraud” as the goods section deals with government departments, including the FCI. The payments were sent to the Deputy Chief Accountant, New Delhi, by way of cheques and no cash transaction was involved.
Mr Jagir Singh, Goods
Supervisor, however, claimed that the irregularities could not be ruled out due to the non-circulation of official circulars of the railways to the sections concerned. In his explanation to the head office, he said the irregularities were not committed intentionally. He said for correct freight charges, the department should make available a circular about the latest rating and routing instructions notified by departments concerned. The rate circulars and rate adivce should also be made available to avoid any irregularities. He alleged that such circulars were not received in time.
The Vigilance Bureau claimed that the officials had admitted to the charges in their respective statements.
Mr I.S. Bhatia, CMI, in his explanation refuted the charges that undercharges had been detected at Chhehrta goods station.
