(a) the number of raids conducted by the CBI on the
officers of Income Tax, Customs and Central Excise, Banks
and FIs during the last three months ;
(b) the details of the outcome of such raids and the
quantum of unaccounted movable or immovable property has
seized in such raids; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government against
such erring officials?
FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI P. CHIDAMBARAM)
(a), (b) & (c): A Statement is placed on the Table of
the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b) & (c) OF
LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.254 (POSITION NO.13) FOR
ANSWER ON 9TH DECEMBER, 2005.
(a): CBI conducts searches as per the provisions of law
and as a part of investigation depending on the facts and
circumstances of the cases. During last three months
CBI conducted a special drive on 30.9.2005 and searches
were conducted at various places, countrywide. During
the special drive, 3 cases against 3 officers of Income
Tax, 13 cases against 17 officers/officials of Customs
& Central Excise and 6 cases against 6 officers /
officials of Banks have been registered by CBI and 94
places were searched in these 22 cases.
(b): In respect of the Income Tax Department, the CBI
registered FIRs in the case of all the three officers.
As per the FIR, disproportionate assets to the tune of
Rs.27.41 lakh were alleged to be in the possession of
one such officer. He was not arrested by the CBI. In
the case of another officer, disproportionate assets of
Rs. 43.29 lakh were found. He was arrested by the CBI
and the Department has placed him under suspension vide
order dated 16.11.2005. So far as the third officer is
concerned, disproportionate assets to the extent of Rs.
44.35 lakh were alleged to be in his possession. He
was also arrested by the CBI and is deemed to be under
suspension w.e.f. 3.10.2005, the date of his arrest. He
has been released on bail on 10.10.2005. The detailed
report on the outcome of the search/quantum of unaccounted
movable or immovable assets seized has not been received
from the CBI.
Such details are not available in respect of
officers of Customs and Excise Department and officers
of Banks, since these cases are under investigation of
the CBI.
(c): Departmental/legal action will be taken against
the officers/officials on the outcome of the investigations
by CBI, and other facts as per law/relevant rules.
The following steps have been taken to check corruption
by the officers/officials of Customs, Excise & Income Tax:
$ Instructions have been issued by the Government from
time to time to the controlling officers to keep a watch
on the life-style of officers in their departments through
constant interaction with the trade & the public.
$ Lapses and malpractices by officers in the department
are dealt with sternly in accordance with prescribed
procedure.
$ Surveillance on officers posted in key areas especially
on those having doubtful integrity is being maintained.
$ Emphasis is being laid on making the vigilance machinery
more effective.
The following steps have been taken to check corruption by
the RBI and the Government :
@ Banks have been advised from time to time to strengthen
the vigilance set up and introduce preventive and
prohibitive measures.
@ The functioning of vigilance system is reviewed during
the course of on-site inspections.
@ Various measures such as periodical rotation of staff
within the branch and from one branch to another; prompt
disciplinary action, awarding exemplary and deterrent
punishment to the delinquent employees and intensive
screening of the candidates at the time of recruitment
are being taken.
@ As and when such irregularities come to the notice,
severe action is taken against the delinquent employee(s)
under relevant conduct regulations and suitable penalty
is imposed.