Question : Handicraft and Handloom

a) whether Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) is investigating cases of corruption against firms who have entered into agreements for import of bullion with Handicrafts and Handloom Exports Corporation of India Limited (HHEC) under the Ministry of Textiles ;

b) if so, the status of these cases and reasons for not filing chargesheets even after a period of four years of investigation;

c) whether, HHEC have asked the views /clarification from CBI with regard to settlement of dues of bullion parties where there is no cases or enquiry is pending; and

d) if so, complete details of views /clarifications given to HHEC by the CBI?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. CBI has registered two cases relating to Bullion business transaction of Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India Limited (HHEC). The first case is against un- known officials of HHEC and against the Edelweiss Commodities Services Ltd.(ECSL). The case has not been concluded as yet. The second case is against M/s Aaryavart Commodities Pvt. Ltd. (ACPL), in which chargesheet has been filed by CBI on 29.12.2017 and presently, this matter is sub- judice.

(c) & (d): Handicrafts and Handlooms Exports Corporation of India Limited (HHEC) has sought clarification from CBI with regard to withheld payment of bullion parties other than M/s. Edelweiss Commodities Ltd. (ECSL) with whom HHEC has identical agreement as signed with ECSL. The CBI has been requested to clarify whether HHEC can release the payment of other bullion parties with whom HHEC has similar transactions. The response is still awaited from CBI.

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