How was ₹800-cr scam undertaken by Tata firm & India’s largest container port’s ex-staff?
In a shocking revelation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed an enormous scam worth ₹800 crore, perpetrated by former staff of Tata Consulting Engineers and India’s largest container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT). The scam, which is estimated to have caused cumulative losses exceeding ₹4,200 crore, is a stark reminder of the extent to which corruption can reach in the country.
According to a report by NDTV Profit, the scam was perpetrated by choosing a deeper 15-metre vessel draft instead of the approved 14-metre, causing a loss of ₹1,163 crore. Furthermore, the officials opted for a single rate for dredging of different rock types, resulting in a loss of ₹557 crore. The contractors, in a brazen display of audacity, undertook dredging for excess width, leading to a loss of ₹964 crore.
The scam, which was uncovered by the CBI, is a result of a thorough investigation into the JNPT’s dredging project. The project, which was valued at ₹1,300 crore, was aimed at deepening the port to facilitate the movement of larger vessels. However, the officials involved in the project had other plans, and they went ahead with the scam, causing massive financial losses to the port and the government.
The CBI has already issued summons to several individuals and companies involved in the scam, including the former managing director of JNPT, the then-director of Tata Consulting Engineers, and several contractors. The agency has also seized properties worth crores of rupees, which are suspected to be proceeds of the scam.
The JNPT scam is a textbook example of how corruption can be perpetrated through a combination of technical and financial malpractices. The officials involved in the scam used their expertise and knowledge of the project to choose a deeper vessel draft, which increased the cost of the project and caused unnecessary losses to the port. The single rate for dredging of different rock types was another clever ploy to siphon off funds, while the excess dredging for width was a brazen attempt to further milk the project.
The scam is also a reflection of the lack of oversight and accountability in public projects. The officials involved in the scam were able to carry out their nefarious activities with impunity, thanks to the lax monitoring and supervision by the authorities. The government and the regulatory bodies must take immediate action to strengthen the oversight mechanisms and hold accountable those who perpetrate such scams.
The JNPT scam is not an isolated incident, and it is a symptom of a deeper malaise in the country’s public sector. Corruption is a pervasive problem that affects all aspects of public life, from infrastructure development to healthcare and education. It is essential that the government takes concrete steps to combat corruption and ensure transparency and accountability in public projects.
The CBI’s investigation into the JNPT scam is a welcome step, but it is just the beginning. The government must ensure that the perpetrators of the scam are brought to justice and that the losses are recovered. The government must also take steps to prevent such scams from happening in the future by strengthening the oversight mechanisms and ensuring that public projects are carried out in a transparent and accountable manner.
In conclusion, the JNPT scam is a shocking example of the extent to which corruption can reach in the country. The scam, which was perpetrated by former staff of Tata Consulting Engineers and India’s largest container port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, has caused cumulative losses exceeding ₹4,200 crore. The government and the regulatory bodies must take immediate action to strengthen the oversight mechanisms and hold accountable those who perpetrate such scams. The CBI’s investigation into the scam is a welcome step, but it is just the beginning. The government must ensure that the perpetrators of the scam are brought to justice and that the losses are recovered.
