Lok Sabha Question No. 240 (STARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: Bill Tracking System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 240 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## BILL TRACKING SYSTEM

*240.   SHRI C. MAHENDRAN: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Railways  has  introduced  a  bill  tracking  system  for contractors/vendors of Indian Railways and if so, the details along with the aims and objectives thereof;

- (b)  the  other  steps  taken/being taken by the Government for increased use of information technology to go digital and online in order to promote transparency and efficiency in the system;

(c) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the contractors are not paying minimum wages to their employees;

- (d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  number  of  complaints received by the Government during each of the last three years and the current year; and

(e) the action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard along with  the  measures  taken  for  ensuring  online  transfer  of  salaries  of employees of contractors to their bank account?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (e) :  A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 240 BY SHRI C. MAHENDRAN AND SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.01.2018 REGARDING BILL TRACKING SYSTEM

(a): Yes, Madam. Indian Railways has introduced a bill tracking system for  contractors/vendors. This has been done  with the objective to use technology to promote transparency and efficiency in the system, time bound  scrutiny  and  passing  of  claims  of  contractors/vendors.  For tracking  the  claims,  contractors/vendors  need  to  register  with  the online IT platform of Indian Railway E-Procurement System to track the status of their bills.

(b):  Indian  Railways  has  introduced  Indian  Railway  E-Procurement system, for procurement of goods, works and services, sale of material and leasing of assets through the process of E-Tendering and E-Auction. All  the  activities  starting  from  publication  of  tender  to  acceptance  of offer have been digitized. Further, an online Integrated Material Management  System  (IMMS)  has  been  implemented  across  all  Zonal Railways  for  procurements  of  Goods.    All  the  stocking  depots  across Indian Railways have been interconnected which enables access to real time stock availability,  details  of  contracts,  annual  requirements,  rate etc.  To further promote transparency in work's contracts,  replies  to the  queries  of  prospective  bidders  are  posted  on  Indian  Railway E-Procurement System portal.

(c) to (e): No,  Madam. Railways as Principal Employer ensures that the contract  workers  are  provided  facilities  by  the  contractor  as  per  the provisions  of  the  Labour  Laws  including  Contract  Labour  (R&A)  Act, 1970 and minimum wages as notified by the Central/State Governments under the  Minimum Wages Act, 1948.  Suitable instructions   have  been

issued to the Zonal Railways that the cases of violation of above laws, if any,  should  be  dealt  with  in  accordance  with  the  extant  provisions. Further,  to  ensure  timely  and  proper  payment  of  workers'  wages, Railways  have  been  instructed  to  launch  campaigns  to  open  bank accounts for contractor's workers and the contractors are also counselled to arrange payment to workers through Banks.

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