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 flagged cumulative losses exceeding ₹4,200 crore in the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) dredging project. The investigation has revealed a massive scam undertaken by former staff of Tata Consulting Engineers and India’s largest container port, JNPA. The officials, in a deliberate attempt to deceive and mislead, chose a deeper 15-metre vessel draft instead of the recommended 14-metre, causing a loss of ₹1,163 crore. Furthermore, they opted for a single rate for dredging of different rock types, resulting in a loss of ₹557 crore. To add insult to injury, the contractors undertook dredging for excess width, leading to a staggering loss of ₹964 crore.
The CBI investigation, which is still underway, has uncovered a web of deceit and corruption that has caused unprecedented financial losses to the JNPA and the government. The scam is estimated to be worth a whopping ₹800 crore, making it one of the largest financial frauds in the country.
The JNPA dredging project was initiated to deepen the navigation channel of the port to accommodate larger ships and increase its cargo handling capacity. The project was awarded to a consortium of contractors, led by Tata Consulting Engineers, with the former staff of JNPA playing a crucial role in its execution.
The CBI investigation has revealed that the former JNPA officials, along with the contractors, conspired to manipulate the project’s specifications and tender documents to suit their interests. They deliberately chose a deeper vessel draft, which increased the volume of dredging required, resulting in a significant increase in costs. This, in turn, led to higher profits for the contractors, while the JNPA and the government suffered losses.
The investigation has also found that the officials opted for a single rate for dredging of different rock types, despite knowing that it would lead to inefficient use of resources and increased costs. This decision was taken to benefit the contractors, who were able to execute the project at a higher cost, while the JNPA and the government bore the brunt of the losses.
In another instance of corrupt practices, the contractors undertook dredging for excess width, which was not required for the project. This deliberate over-spend resulted in a significant loss of ₹964 crore, which could have been avoided if proper project management and supervision had been in place.
The CBI investigation has identified several officials, including former JNPA staff and contractors, who were involved in the scam. The agency has issued summons to several individuals, including the former JNPA chairman and the contractors, to appear before it for questioning.
The JNPA dredging project scam is a stark reminder of the need for robust governance and transparency in public projects. The scam highlights the importance of independent project oversight and the need for strict enforcement of project specifications and tender documents.
The government and the JNPA must take immediate action to rectify the situation and recover the losses incurred due to the scam. The CBI investigation must be completed promptly, and those found guilty must be held accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, the ₹800-crore scam undertaken by Tata Consulting Engineers and India’s largest container port’s ex-staff is a shocking example of corruption and deceit. The CBI investigation has uncovered a web of corruption that has caused unprecedented financial losses to the JNPA and the government. The government and the JNPA must take immediate action to rectify the situation and recover the losses incurred due to the scam.
