CBI registers corruption case against SECL official

A General Manager-ranked officer of South Eastern Coalfields Limited has been booked by CBI for allegedly manipulating tender process and favouring a private company owner.
CBI sources said the case has been registered against RP Singh, then Sub Area Manager, Beharband Coal Mines in Anuppur (MP) and five others for alleged criminal conspiracy and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.
"It was alleged that during the financial year 2012-13, the Sub Area Manager and three other SECL officials entered into criminal conspiracy with a proprietor of a private company (who was also having Power of Attorney for other two firms) and manipulated limited tender process and illegally favoured the proprietor by issuing 65 works orders to the companies which were being run/handled by him," CBI spokesperson said.

The official said it is further alleged that in these 65 work orders, the employment of labour required for particular work has been inflated by the public servants to provide the favours to the said contractor.
"As per the 65 work orders, around 27,768 labour manshifts have falsely shown as deployed but only 8,522 manshifts have been actually deployed by the said contractor in the Beheraband underground mines.
"An alleged loss to the tune of Rs 44.65 lakhs(approx) was caused to the SECL," the official said.
The agency spokesperson said searches were conducted at ten places in Anuppur, Sarguja, Ambikapur, Durg, Korba, Bhilai, Nagpur including residential and office premises of the accused persons.