Reported by Punjabnewsline.com on July 12, 2012
21 months on, Rs 24 cr scam file resurfaces | Punjab News | Online News | Latest Breaking News | Punjab Newsline

CHANDIGARH: Nearly after 21 months, 2004 iron-ore scam file has finally reached back to personnel department after travelling from office to office, department to department and in several other government offices.

Involving many other officials, mainly two higher officials namely, 1993 batch Punjab civil service (PCS) officer Amarpal Singh who was additional managing director (AMD) and 1989-batch IAS officer Kripa Shankar Saroj who was former managing director at Punjab Agro Food grains Corporation (PAFC) have been held responsible for 2004 iron ore scam of Rs 23.93 crore loss, according to an Inquiry report.

Report stated, “ PAFC suffered this loss due to irresponsible and negligent attitude of AMD Amarpal Singh.”

In March 2008, Parkash Singh Badal government suspended K.S Saroj but in August 2010 Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) gave verdict in his favor and no action has been taken against Amarpal Singh since then.

Meanwhile in November 2008, Ramesh Inder Singh (former chief secretary) ordered suspension of the two officials and handed inquiry to Romila Dubey (FC) financial commissioner (revenue).

In July 2010, according to official records and Dubey’s inquiry report, agricultural department asked for taking stringent action against both the officials for not recovering at least Rs 18 crore that had been taken in 2004 for the export of iron ore to China .

RTI activist Kuldeep Singh Khaira, petitioned the State Information Commission as the file kept passing CM's office, personnel department and the advocate general's office without any significant step taken.

According to government RTI report, in 2010, the file was with the advocate general's (AG) office, where it was sent for legal opinion. When RTI Inquiry occurred, it was found that Punjab AG office had received that file in November 17, 2011, from the office of Punjab CM for opinion and had returned it back to CM's office in January 4, 2012 which means Punjab CM’s office did not pass it on time to AG office and kept for at least 21 months , the file was supposed to be AG office in July 2011.

In June CM’s office sent the file to personnel department, Government sources said. Chief secretary Rakesh Singh made the file work faster. He made the personal hearing on July 11, 2012 for the two officers for taking final decision but on Saroj request hearing had been adjourned to July 26,2012.

According to government report, they admitted before commission that personnel department sent the scam file to then chief secretary on September 6, 2010, which they sent the file to CMO on September 13, 2010.The PIO(public information officer) of the IAS branch in its report said to the commission that on June 12,2012, after at least 21 months later , personnel department got the file back.