Question : Corruption in CPWD

Will the MINISTER OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of cases involving corruption in Central Public Works Department (CPWD) have been reported and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the objectives of CPWD are not being achieved due to corrupt practices and if so, the reaction of Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government/vigilance unit of CPWD has conducted any probe/review of the works carried out by CPWD during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any shortcomings or corrupt practices has been detected during the probe/ review, if so, the details thereof along with the names of officials found guilty in this regard;
(e) the action taken /being taken by the Government against such officials; and
(f) the other steps taken by the Government to check corruption and malpractices in CPWD?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a) & (b) : The objectives of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) of creating and maintaining infrastructure assets of the Government and other bodies are being achieved by carrying out works in a competitive and transparent manner with sound engineering practices. Appropriate and robust mechanisms exist in the department to detect and deal with corrupt practices. A total of 73 complaints have been received in Vigilance Unit of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) during the current year 2018.

(c) to (e) : The works are reviewed internally by the Quality Control Unit/ Vigilance Unit of the department from time to time. The details of inspections conducted by the Vigilance Unit of CPWD during last three years and the current year and the action taken against officials / suspect officials along with their names are given in the statement at Annexure.
(f) : The steps taken by the CPWD to check corruption include carrying out regular / surprise inspections, leveraging technology for transparency e.g. e-payment, e-tendering, e-procurement, e-sewa kendras and e-project management, examination of pending audit paras, systemic improvement in manual provisions and procedures, random examination of Annual Property Returns, conducting training / awareness programmes for CPWD officers as part of preventive vigilance measures etc.
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