November 19, 2001
‘18’STEPS TO CHECK CORRUPTION IN STEEL PLANTS
In the last two financial years, corruption cases noticed in the steel plants of the Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL), a public sector unit of the Steel Ministry were 340. Against these cases major penalty was imposed on 150 officials and minor penalty was imposed on 247 officials. During this period 8 corruption cases were reported from Rastriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. (RINL), another public sector unit of the Ministry. In these cases major penalty was imposed on 4 officials and another 4 officials had to give minor penalty.
The Government has taken a number of steps to eradicate corruption from the steel plants. Instructions have been issued to the plants to simplify the existing rules and procedures. Regular surprise inspections have been conducted by the Chief Vigilance Officer of the plants. Directions have been issued to draw a plan of rotation of staff posted in sensitive posts and effect regular rotation as per instruction of Central Vigilance Commission. A list of officers of doubtful integrity are being drawn up and appropriate surveillance is being kept on their conduct. The vigilance matters of the plants are being reviewed quarterly by the steel secretary level.
Besides, property returns filed by the officers are regularly being scrutinized. Guidelines issued by Central Vigilance Commission under CVC/Department of Personnel & Training are being circulated to the steel plants for strict compliance. Stress is being laid on expeditious completion of departmental proceedings initiated against the accused officials.