Question : PURCHASE OF WAGONS

(a) whether there is any policy in regard to the purchase of wagons by the railways;

(b) if so, the details thereof ;

(c) whether the Government have floated tenders in this regard by ignoring the Wagon India Ltd. a public sector undertaking;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government have received any information in regard to big scam in the purchase of wagons;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether any enquiry has been conducted by the Government in this regard;

(h) if so, the outcome thereof and the action taken in this regard; and

(i) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE)

(a) & (i) A statement is laid on the table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to
(i) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 400 BY SHRIMATI SHEELA GAUTAM AND SHRI SUBODH MOHITE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.4.2000 REGARDING PURCHASE OF WAGONS.

(a) to (b) Yes Sir. Ministry of Railways are procuring wagons through open tender to bring economy, transparency and healthy competition in purchases. Bulk of wagon orders are placed on all established wagon manufacturers based on past performance.

(c) & (d) No, Sir. Wagon India Ltd.(WIL) is not a Public sector Undertaking but a Joint Sector Undertaking comprising members of wagon building units both in public sector as well as in private sector under the Ministry of Industry. WIL does not manufacture wagons themselves.Therefore, question of ignoring WIL does not arise.Orders are placed directly on the wagon manufacturing units.

(e) No,Sir.

(f) to (i) Do not arise.