Question : CORRUPTION IN PARCEL OFFICES

(a) whether the Government are aware of the rampant corruption prevailing in the Railway parcel offices located at various stations in Delhi as reported in the ‘Dainik Jagaran’ dated November 16,2000;

(b) whether the bookings of luggage and its safe loading is not possible without the help of touts;

(c) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to prevent the interference of touts;

(d) the number of times surprise checks were conducted at these parcel offices during the last three years and the current year so far and the action taken thereon;

(e) whether the Government propose to consider the possibility of introducing new system to make these parcel offices free from corruption and touts ; and

(f) if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)


(a) Some cases of malpractices/irregularities in the working of Railway Parcel offices in Delhi area have come to notice during various surprise checks.

(b) & (c) No, Sir, However, Frequent inspections/checks are done by commercial and vigilance officials in parcel offices to prevent interference by touts.

(d) 473 checks were conducted in parcel offices of Delhi area during last 3 years & up to Nov. 2000. 788 Railway staff found responsible for various irregularities were taken up under suitable departmental action.

(e)& (f) Yes, Sir. The following steps are being taken :-


(i) The system of booking & delivery of parcels and luggage in parcel offices of Delhi, New Delhi & Hazrat Nizammudin is proposed to be computerized.

(ii) More & more SLRs are proposed to be given on lease to increase revenue & reduce interference by touts.

(iii) The system of rotational transfer of staff on sensitive posts after a fixed period of posting is proposed to be strictly implemented.

(iv) Checks to detect & curb corruption are proposed to be intensified.

(v) Higher level of punitive action in cases of irregularities detected is being enforced.