Lok Sabha Question No. 2805 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-11
Subject: Corruption in MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2805 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MAY, 2016

## CORRUPTION IN MTNL

## 2805. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether cases of corruptions in Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) have been reported;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether a case of purchase order for upgradation of GSM access network is under investigation;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the action taken in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

- (a) Some cases of corruption, have  come to  light,  which  are  being  examined  & pursued.
- (b) Some  complaints  alleging corruption in  MTNL  are  received,  which  are disposed off as per the complaint handling policy. The complaints received and their disposal during the year 2015-16 is provided at Annexure-A.
- (c) No  such  investigations  are  being  carried  out  by  the  Department.  However, Cabinet Secretariat has sought report on the complaints alleging corruption on this issue.
- (d) & (e)
- (i)      Cabinet  Secretariat  has sought a report on a  complaint interalia alleging corruption  in  purchase  order  for  expansion/upgradation  of  GSM  access network  in  MTNL.    The  report  and  subsequent  clarifications  have  been submitted  to  the  Cabinet  Secretariat.  Further,  Cabinet  Secretariat,  has advised Deptt. of  Telecommunications to expedite the decision on GSM contract and decided to keep the case pending till such time.
- (ii)    Cabinet  secretariat  has  sought  report  on  another  complaint interalia alleging  corruption  in  upgradation  of  Mumbai  GSM  network.  The report is being submitted.

Annexure A Corruption cases received through complaints in MTNL during Year 2015-16 (till date)

|   S. No. | Corruption cases reported in FY 2015-16 & till date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Action taken on the complaint                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Complaint against Mr. M.S. Yadav, (SDE/JTO) reg. demand of bribe to release of vendor payment.                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Case was examined and allegations were not proved.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        2 | Complaint related to causing loss to Govt. treasures by Sh. M.S. Yadav.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | No action was taken regarding the complaint, as the complainant did not turn up in the Vigilance unit and not provided the relevant supporting documents i.r.o. his complaint, inspite of reminding through two letters                                                            |
|        3 | Complaint against Sh. S.K. Arora, the then GM(S&M)WS and Sh. I.D. Arora, DGM(Fin)WS for loss of exchequer by the both officers with connivance of the vendors.                                                                                                                                             | Complaint being anonymous in nature, no inquiry was undertaken and case was filed as per CVC guidelines                                                                                                                                                                            |
|        4 | A complaint by Dr Mukesh Kumar, Managing Director, Chandra Laxmi Hospital, Sector-4, Plot no 336-37, Vaishali, Ghaziabad, UP addressed to Hon'ble Minister, Deptt of Telecommunications, Govt of India against Shri D.N.Mishra,DGM(IR) regarding demand of money to clear medicals bills of MTNL officials | The case was investigated and referred to CVC for seeking first stage advice recommending issue of 'Recordable Warning' to Sh. D.N. Mishra, the then DGM(IR). CVC advice is awaited.                                                                                               |
|        5 | Embezzlement of officer funds by drivers of MTNL to the tune of lakhs of rupees in collusion with owners of a petrol pump                                                                                                                                                                                  | The case is under investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|        6 | Complaint of Sh. Gurkirpal Singh against AE(E), EE(E) & CE(E) i.r.o. tender floating without advertisement on MTNL website.                                                                                                                                                                                | Case was examined and allegations were not proved.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        7 | Complaint against M/s Promod Telecom Pvt. LTD. i.r.o. old caller ID instrument supplied to MTNL.                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Case was examined and allegations were not proved.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        8 | Complaint regarding NIT 8301 for making payment two time in single tender.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Complaint being anonymous in nature, no inquiry was undertaken and case was filed as per CVC guidelines.                                                                                                                                                                           |
|        9 | The case of misappropriation of cables in Moti Nagar Cable Store was received from concerned area GM(West), MTNL, Delhi.                                                                                                                                                                                   | The case is under examination.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|       10 | Case of theft of blank cheques from AO(Cash)HQ office and encashed by forged signature by Sh. S.G.Ghegadmal TOA(G),Staff No. 44139 was reported on 08.01.2015.                                                                                                                                             | Case was examined and allegations were found to be correct. Therefore, disciplinary action has been initiated against 3 officers/officials of MTNL.                                                                                                                                |
|       11 | Case of short remittance of amount collected by way of e-recharge and sale of MTNL products of Prabhadevi Customer Service Center reported on 12.05.2015.                                                                                                                                                  | Case was examined and allegations were found to be correct. Disciplinary action is under process against 12 officers / officials of MTNL for major penalty and 2 officers of MTNL for minor penalty.                                                                               |
|       12 | Cabinet Secretariat OM No. 501/II/38/2015- VCC dated 29-09-2015 has sought a report on a complaint made by Shri Anil Kumar of Telecom Watchdog dated 06-09-2015.                                                                                                                                           | The report and subsequent clarifications have been submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat. Cabinet Secretariat, vide their OM dated 31-03-2016 has advised Deptt of Telecommunications to expedite the decision on GSM contract and decided to keep the case pending till such time. |
|       13 | Cabinet secretariat OM No. 501/II/38/2015- VCC dated 03-02-2016 has sought report on another complaint of Shri Anil Kumar of Telecom Watchdog dated 27-01-2016.                                                                                                                                            | The report is being submitted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

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