CBI raids Govt offices

In a raid at the Regional Passport Office in the city on Friday, CBI officials found agents and touts moving inside the office area, though they are supposed to be in the area marked for public.

Some documents required for passport applications and other papers have been seized from a clerk and he is likely to be arrested soon. Moreover, CBI officials also raided four cash counters and found large-scale irregularities.

Sources said the modus operandi of the clerks was simple. They were working as unauthorised agents for various travel agencies and other agents. Besides, they also used to forge documents. For example, when an applicant requires a passport under Tatkal scheme, he has to produce documents proving urgency. Officials at the passport office conveniently circumvented the problem by drawing up the documents on their own and then faxing it to the Regional Passport Office. Such objectionable documents were also seized.

It was also found that people with criminal records and others managed to get a passport by bribing clerks. This was managed by clerks who used to destroy the police verification form, while officials would think it had been sent for verification. The loophole is that when the officials do not get a reply from the police within 45 days, a passport is issued on the presumption that police verification has been completed.

The rules lay down that if the police does not reply within 45 days, the particulars furnished by the applicant should be taken as authentic.

According to sources, CBI is further verifying records and the involvement of higher officials is expected to come to light as the clerks and other officials are hand-in-glove with higher-ups, officials said.

Meanwhile, Regional Passport Officer J R Ambre said CBI sleuths conducted surprise checks on cash counters at the Regional Passport Office. Ambre admitted a woman cashier was found with extra amount of Rs 400, while another cashier had Rs 900 short in his counter cupboard.

8220;Though the woman explained that the extra Rs 400 found was her personal money and her male counterpart said he had deposited Rs 900 with RPO bank account, the CBI team mentioned their names in their reports,8221; Ambre said.

In another raid at Kalupur railway station on Saturday night, CBI officials detected major irregularities in issuing VIP quota for reservation. Sources said VIP quota for Saturday, Sunday and trains leaving before 2 pm on Monday were released on Friday and a certain quota was kept pending for emergencies arising on Saturday and Sunday. Officials said the clerk in-charge would release the quota of his own accord following a telephone call from his seniors or on the basis of fake documents.

In the absence of such calls or demand for VIP quota, the first person in waiting is entitled to get reservation, but the clerk, without informing the Chief Area Manager, used to accomodate others by taking bribes.

Officials said often fake letters in the name of MPs from neighbouring states were also produced by these clerks for issuing reservation under VIP quota. CBI has recovered several such documents and letters.

In the third raid on the Telecom office last Tuesday, CBI officials found that drop wires, telephone instruments, cables and other equipment fell short of the stock listed in the records. This discrepancy arose because equipment had been sold in the black market.

On Saturday, CBI officials raided a dispensary run under the Central Government Health Scheme and found irregularities in issuing drugs. Sources said expensive drugs were sold in the black market, forcing patients to buy them from the open market. Officials said here too drugs were less than the quantity shown in the records.