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Volume 8 DEC 2015/JAN 2016
From the Desk of Chief Editor
Dear Readers,
Jagriti wishes all its readers a Very Happy & Prosperous New
Year.
We are virtually living in glass houses. We are living a highly
interconnected world. Most of the
transactions that we do can be tracked as they being done over
the internet. In the e jungle that we
live in, there are many dangers like viruses, hackers,
fraudsters etc. Every now and then we hear of
some of our colleagues losing money to on line fraudsters. We
need to equip ourselves to be able
handle these threats both at the personal level and also at the
company level. A Vigilance Awareness
Program was done in Dec 2015 at BG CX for 8 days covering around
360 senior executives in which
the risks associated with living the e jungle and also the
various mitigation measures were touched
upon.
Taking the glass house analogy further, even Corporate are under
constant scrutiny by various stake
holders. PSUs being model organizations are expected to be
epitomes of Transparency and Fairness
in all their acts. Vigilance is one of the wings in PSUs that
can be used effectively by the
Managements to improve Transparency and Fairness in the companys
business processes. In this
issue, we have brought out an article on Vigilance as a
Management Concept.
The theme for this years Vigilance Awareness week was Preventive
Vigilance as a Tool of Good
Governance. Corporate Vigilance has released Corruption Risk
Management Policy. This is
intended to encourage Units / SBUs to identify the corruption
prone areas and plan for mitigation of
the corruption risks through appropriate preventive actions.
Though the Policy was issued 18
months back, no significant action has been taken by the Units /
SBUs.
There has been an overwhelming response to CPPP program. As of
now, the count of employees
who have completed CPPP certification is 1280 and 151 employees
have completed CPCM
certification.
Corporate Vigilance has initiated steps for getting ISO 9001
2015 Certification for Vigilance. We
expect to be certified in the next few months.
We look forward to your suggestions to improve the journal.
Articles on Vigilance related subjects
are welcome.
Yours Sincerely,
S.Mohanraj,S.Mohanraj,S.Mohanraj,S.Mohanraj, AGM(Vig)/CO &
AGM(Vig)/CO & AGM(Vig)/CO & AGM(Vig)/CO & Chief Editor,
JAGRITI MagazineChief Editor, JAGRITI MagazineChief Editor, JAGRITI
MagazineChief Editor, JAGRITI Magazine
JAGRITI VIGILANCE NEWSLETTER
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VIGILANCE AS A MANAGEMENT CONCEPT
Vigilance is an inalienable and integral part of the management
function and all
executives are ipso-facto Vigilance Officers also. In-house
vigilance is an essential
management tool to safeguard the organization from erosion of
the organizational
resources and goodwill.
The following concepts therefore must be well understood :
Organization exists for achievement of goals (long term aims)
and objectives
(short term steps towards the goals).
Management strives to maximize productivity with minimum
utilization of
resources.
Success of a business organization is generally measured by
generation of profits
or customer satisfaction.
In respect of public sector undertakings, in addition to
profits, achievement of
social and public goals are taken into consideration for
measuring success.
Image of an organization depends on public perception of its
utility to the society
and not by its balance sheet.
Public expectations have three components substantive,
psychological and
services delivery systems.
Dishonesty among employees results in wastage of resources.
These employees
generate public discontentment by preventing achievement of
substantive
components by defective / improper services delivery system.
Vigilance is an important tool to increase productivity and
profitability by
plugging the seepage in resources.
Vigilance thus acts as a profit generating centre for the
enterprise.
Vigilance consists of proactive and reactive roles.
Proactive role consists of preventive vigilance, surveillance
and detection.
Reactive role consists of punitive vigilance.
Corruption includes all known deviations from standards of
integrity and
impartial exercise of discretion. It includes all forms of
misconduct such as
misappropriation, nepotism, improper use of discretion and
conduct unbecoming
of a public servant.
Vigilance aims to prevent corruption from flourishing in an
organization and
when located, in eliminating it.
Action Plan for preventive vigilance at the executive level
An action plan for preventive vigilance should comprise of:
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a. Simplification of rules and procedures to cut down delays,
de-regulation
wherever possible to reduce the points of corruption and
harassment to the
public.
b. Reducing the areas of discretion and patronage, particularly
at lower levels.
c. Screening of posting of officials in sensitive posts.
d. Periodical rotation of staff in sensitive posts.
e. Meaningful scrutiny of Assets and Liability statements.
f. Introduction of public information and assistance counters in
departments and
places having public dealings.
g. Systematic as well as surprise inspections by senior officers
and
h. Curbing outside influence in administration and personnel
management.
Though as stated earlier, a general alert and awareness has been
created, which in itself
is quite encouraging, yet the results leave a lot to be desired.
The salient reasons for this
appear to be:
i. Internal vigilance system has not been fully integrated with
the overall
management system of the undertakings. Unfortunately some sort
of adversary
relation has developed between the executive and internal
vigilance.
ii. Vigilance is sometimes regarded as a necessary evil.
Sometimes efforts by
vigilance and action taken are termed as witch-hunting.
iii. The management usually shies away from exposure to
vigilance due to the
mistaken notion of loss of image. The executive is yet to
develop the notion of
treating it as an essential part of the system.
iv. Many times the concerned departmental officers withdraw
themselves from the
responsibility of keeping an effective check on the activities
in the sensitive areas
under them and on persons of doubtful integrity. Even routine
duties like
inspections and physical verifications are neglected and it is
felt that the entire
responsibility of cleaning up the organization is that of the
Vigilance branch.
However, in fact, it is a multi-dimensional problem and cannot
be tackled by a
single agency.
The system therefore needs a complete re-appraisal. It is
imperative that the gap
between the management and Vigilance is bridged.
i. The management should realize the functions and the
importance of vigilance.
ii. Vigilance should be treated as a tool of the management to
eradicate / prevent
corruption.
iii. Vigilance should not to be taken as a blockade in progress
but as a means to cut
down wastage, leakage, etc, thereby improving profitability.
iv. The executive should realize that vigilance is impartial and
initiates action only
against those involved in undesirable activities which are
against the interests of
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the organization.
v. The executive should create his own in-house vigilance set-up
with self-defined
tasks and procedures, line of responsibility, etc, thus giving
due status to
vigilance.
TEN GOLDEN RULES FOR IN-HOUSE VIGILANCE
1. Effective and regular supervision eliminates corruption.
2. Vigilance is the responsibility of all employees in an
organization.
3. Encourage and create a climate for effective vigilance.
4. Corruption corrodes the good image of the organization.
Eliminate the same.
5. Constantly monitor exercise of discretion at all levels to
detect its improper use
for pecuniary considerations.
6. Identify areas prone to corruption and strict rotation of
officials in sensitive posts
within a specific period of 2/3 years checks corruption.
7. Preparation of list of employees of doubtful integrity and
keeping close watch on
them goes a long way to eliminate corruption.
8. Surprise checks / inspections besides mandatory scheme of
inspections by senior
officers. Deterrent action against defaulters and wide publicity
of punishment
awarded to guilty employees helps a lot in curbing
corruption.
9. Inculcate among employees the desire to follow principles of
ethics.
Organizational culture should nurture and encourage ethical
behaviour.
10. Reduce area of discretion and patronage.
Compiled by:
C. SELVA KUMAR, DGM / VO MR & MS /BG. Cx.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Conscience, the Defence against Corruption
Conscience is the light of the Soul that burns
within the chambers of our psychological
heart. It is as real as life is. It raises the voice in
protest wherever anything is thought of or
done contrary to the righteousness. Conscience
is a form of truth that has been transferred
through our genetic stock in the form of the
knowledge of our own acts and feelings as
right or wrong.
Conscience is also a great ledger where our
offences are booked and registered. It is a
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terrible witness. It threatens, promises, rewards, and punishes,
keeping all under its control.
If conscience stings once, it is an admonition, if twice, it is
a condemnation. Cowardice asks,
"Is it safe?" Greed asks, "Is there any gain in it?" Vanity
asks, "Can I become great? Lust
asks, "Is there pleasure in it? But conscience asks, "Is it
right?" Why have we become deaf
to its voice? Insensitive to its pricks? Callous to its
criticism? The answer is corruption.
Corruption is an assault on consciousness. The habit of taking
bribes and seeking favours has
become very common. People holding important positions have
developed inconsiderateness
to their conscience. They pretend everything is all right. Do
they not have an idea of the law
of action and reaction? Have they forgotten how impressions of
the subconscious mind and
their forces work? If you take bribes, your thoughts and actions
are registered in the
subconscious mind. Will you not be carrying forward your
dishonesty to your next
generation, causing them great suffering? It is a painful
reality that corruption has become a
way of life affecting all aspects of living, personal as well as
social. It is not merely the
pecuniary corruption but other forms as well. Immoral ways of
people holding high positions
and handling power have taken away guilt from the minds of
lesser mortals. What a
dangerous situation? A great civilization is endangered.
A virtuous man alone can use the instrument of conscience. He
alone can hear the inner
voice of the soul clearly. In a wicked man this faculty is dead.
The sensitive nature of his
conscience has been destroyed by sin or corruption. Hence he is
unable to discriminate right
from wrong. Those who are leading organizations, business
enterprises, institutions and
governments, how can they be corrupt? Is it not wise to have a
clean conscience and enjoy
freedom from anxiety and all kinds of worries? If you do wrong
actions and sinful deeds and
treat them lightly today, you will not hesitate to perform
serious crimes tomorrow.
If you allow one sin to enter and dwell in your conscience, you
pave the way for the entry of
thousand sins. Your conscience will become blunt and lose its
sensitivity. The habit of doing
evil deeds will pervade the whole body like the poison of a
scorpion.
Do you know when you are corrupt, your children, who are indeed
enjoying the fruits of your
corruption, are mocking at you? After all they are well-informed
and knowledgeable. Your
parental mask is too thin to hide the contempt of your children.
You are no more the role
model of your own children. Is this disgrace not enough? Our
society is fast reaching a stage
where the immunity of conscience of people holding positions of
consequence is challenged
by the corruption, as HIV would do to the body of an AIDS
patient. The corruption has seeped
into every stream of our life-blood. Can we save ourselves as a
civilization?
Spiritual leaders have evolved morals, codes, and teachings of
righteousness. Beautiful
hymns, songs and prayers have been written and composed. But the
annihilation of
conscience by corruption appears frightening. Religion has not
been effective in evoking
conscience. Who then will? Can our conscience be redeemed?
A movement through the Foundation for Unity of Religions and
Enlightenment of Citizenship
(FUREC) against corruption has to be made as a new feature.
By Dr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam, Late President of India,
(Source: The Hindu)
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PREVENTIVE VIGILANCE - AN EFFECTIVE TOOL OF GOOD GOVERNANCE The
very common phrase goes that Prevention is better than Cure It is
easier to
stop something happening in the first place than to repair the
damage after it has
happened. This phrase advises us to take preventive steps to
keep us away from all
sorts of dangers since this reduces the effort needed to deal
with the effects of a danger. In
the same way preventive vigilance means to follow the
organizational procedures, rules
and regulations together with effective monitoring. It is
required to wait for lapses to
be committed and then try to conduct post-mortem at a high
cost.
Prevention is the shield which saves mankind from many
disasters, chaos and destruction. We must measure every step we
take. A cure is a blessing, but preventions are better than a
cure. A wise act of a cautious mind can stop us from stepping
into something wrong or dangerous. Prevention makes one escape
completely from dangers and difficulties. Cure is a
solution for the suffering which has already engulfed him. Man
can prevent himself from falling into bad habits. Prevention can be
achieved by planning ahead. One should act
beforehand towards certain issues, situations, etc rather than
looking for its solution later on. In other words Do only those
things in life for which you dont have to rework. This
principle can be observed in our daily lives,
Bribery, greed and other factors are source of all sorts of
rampant corruption all over the world. If these malpractices had
been nipped in the bud they wouldnt occur at all. We all are
responsible for its rise and growth. The practice in some
nations have become a standard, a norm or a tradition which has
taken so many complex forms and has become so entangled
and assimilated in our lives that even though we talk against
it, we ourselves encourage these. Sometimes, it is the only way or
a shortcut to a solution that we have to indulge in it. Scams
and scandals are the outcome of corruption and they have a high
range of effect throughout the whole community as is evident in 2G
Spectrum Scam of India and Oil and Gas Bribery
Case (Panalpina) and various others are clearly the outcome of
ineffective or non-existent
measures of preventive vigilance.
Prevention implies to stop doing something. Cure means to find a
solution. Man is prone to commit mistakes. Man can foresee the
happenings of the future. He checks himself from
doing anything wrong.
We must measure every step we take. Cure involves much more
effort and pain than what would need to prevent a problem from
affecting us. A cure is a blessing, but prevention is
more than a blessing. It is better than cure. A wise act of
cautious mind can check us from stepping into something wrong or
dangerous. The act of right living makes everything
possible. Living in the right sense means living judiciously,
wisely and cautiously. Man has the knowledge of distinguishing
between the right and the wrong, the good and the evil, the
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safe and the dangerous. He can judge them and escape from
dangers and difficulties before
they engulf him. Many fail to distinguish between them and find
themselves trapped. Then they seek a cure. Prevention halts or
obstructs the danger or evil from the person before it
overpowers him. It makes the person escape from it completely.
Cure is a solution for the danger or evil which has already
engulfed him. Hence, I would like to convey in strong words
that prevention is always better than cure.
The process of strengthening an organizational Integrity System
begins with a organizational dialogue followed by organizational
action. Today the Public Sector Undertakings in the
country play a significant role in the economic as well as
social development of the country. They are subject to public
criticism and criticism in the press. Unlike the private
commercial
organization where individuals count for more, in these public
undertakings, the systems have to work more than individuals. Under
such circumstances, there is a need for a strong and
dedicated vigilance organization in the PSUs with a set of
strict rules to regulate the conduct of the workmen and
executives.
Vigilance has to be looked upon as one of the essential
components of management. If the
vigilance set-up is effective in an organization, it will
certainly ensure the functioning of the other segments like
Contract, Purchase, Sales, Human Resource, Technical and Finance in
a
very effective and efficient way. Vigilance has, therefore, to
be given a rightful place in the
management. Though the work of `Vigilance is liked neither by an
honest officer nor a dishonest officer, yet its absence will be
harmful to the organization. It is like a bitter pill. For
the good health of the organization, the bitter pill has to be
administered.
The objective of vigilance is to ensure that the management gets
the maximum out of its various transactions. In the field of
purchases, it should get the quality product at competitive
rates. In the field of sales, it should get the maximum
realization for its products at negligible selling cost. In the
field of Human Resource, it recruits the best talented people and
keeps the
morale of the people high. Likewise, in any of its transactions,
it should endeavour to get the best. Unlike in private
organizations (mostly individual concerns), where individuals
whose
interest are totally cantered on the profitable functioning of
the organization, in public sector organizations it is rather
difficult to inculcate culture without a vigilance set-up. The
presence
of a vigilance set-up will enable the management to enable the
presence of that culture.
Vigilance is not something external. It should be accepted as an
essential part of management. Vigilance connotes watchfulness. It
is not the purpose of vigilance to wait for
lapses to be committed and then try to conduct post-mortem. What
is more important than punitive vigilance is preventive vigilance.
In short, management should be interested in
preventive vigilance measures. If adequate attention is paid to
preventive vigilance side, maximum vigilance cases will not arise.
Preventive vigilance calls for constant review of
rules, procedures and practices which shrink the scope for
corruption in the following
segments:
a) Contract Management b) Material and Purchase Management c)
Sales Management d) Human Resource Management e) Inventory
Management f) Works Contract Management g) Finance Management
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Preventive vigilance is nothing but adoption of a package of
measures to improve systems /
procedures to reduce / eliminate corruption. Purpose of
Preventive Vigilance is to bring about a higher order of morality,
rationality and watchfulness in public service.
1. Study the working culture of the organization. 2. Study the
corruption-prone and sensitive areas. 3. Simplification of rules
and procedures which have loopholes. 4. Define duties and
responsibilities. 5. Locate sensitive spots. 6. Surprise checks and
inspections. 7. Detection of failures in quality and speed of work.
8. Reduce the scope of discretionary powers.
The above are some of the general aspects of preventive
vigilance measures that could be adopted in our organization. But
these will vary depending upon the type of activity, size of
the department, the areas of operation, etc. However, the point
to be borne in mind is that preventive vigilance measures help the
management to get optimum results from the different
activities. It is also necessary to have close liaison with
various investigation agencies on a periodical basis so that the
Vigilance Organization has the advantage of having information
from external and internal front also. Detective Vigilance,
Punitive Vigilance, Corrective
Vigilance, Predictive Vigilance, Preventive Vigilance and
Proactive Vigilance are the various Vigilance mechanisms used in
Public Sector Undertakings to enforce the rules and
procedures from time to time. But out of these, the best tool of
good governance is Preventive Vigilance, reason being prevention is
always better than cure.
It is strongly felt that all these procedures could work well
only if there is total commitment
and honesty on our part in implementing them. Let we therefore
dedicate ourselves to be honest to implement the preventive
vigilance procedures to make our nation and organization
function in a very effective and efficient way so that we can
reach commanding heights in the economic and social development of
the nation.
Three elements of Preventive Vigilance are the Eyes, the Ears
& finally, justification of Brain.
Finally, Vigilance goes hand in hand with Good Governance.
Contributed by
M.Raja Sekaran, Sr.DGM(Corporate Vigilance)
Six Ethics of Life
Before you pray - Believe Before you speak - Listen
Before you spend - Earn Before you write - Think
Before you Quit - Try Before you Die - Live
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Cartoons Speak
BEFORE NOW
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News & Events
The Inter Unit Vigilance/Investigation Officers meet was
conducted from 16th December to 19th December 2015 at Corporate
Auditorium. On 16th an ISO 9001/2015 awareness program was
conducted by Shri Eswar of BVCI, Bangalore. As Corporate Vigilance
is moving its steps towards attaining ISO 9001 certification under
the new 2015 Standard, this training program was conducted to
create awareness among the Vigilance and Investigating Officers on
the procedural and documentation aspects so as to realize the
target of being the first department in BEL to get the ISO 9001
certification under 2015 standard.
On 17th December 2015, CBI, ACB Bangalore conducted the training
program on important provisions of Prevention of Corruption of
Corruption Act, 1988, Indian Penal Code, 1860. SP, ACB, Bangalore
also gave a brief about the CBIs roles and responsibilities.
On19th December 2015, Shri Venkatesh Murthy from Data Council of
India, Bangalore gave a brief lecture on various types Cyber Crimes
and the means of safeguarding against such crimes.
On 18th December 2015, CVO inaugurated the File Cycle Management
(FLM) for Vigilance . This was followed by interactive session with
the Vigilance and Investigating Officers and discussed on the 18
Agenda points circulated to Vigilance Officers. VOs of Other Units,
other than Bangalore made a Power Point Presentation on these
Points.
On 11th January 2016, CVO had a interactive session with
Vigilance and Investigating Officers of Bangalore Unit.
____________________________________________
First they ignore you, then they ridicule you,
then they fight you, and then you win. Mahatma Gandhi
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Training Programs: 360 Sr.Executives were trained during the 8
days training program conducted by
M/s.Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore at CLD
from 07-12-2015 to
16-12-2015. This training program was organised by Corporate
Vigilance.
Corporate Vigilance has conducted training program Overview of
Vigilance for 322
newly inducted Probationary Engineers at CLD Bangalore during
Nov & Dec 2015.
Group Learning Program:
As part of Group Learning Program, the following Vigilance
Officers made a PPT
presentation on the following topics at Corporate Vigilance.
Name of the Vigilance Officer Topics presented
Mr.Solomon Paul Raj, Mgs (CO-VIG) Gaps in the Existing
Purchase
Procedure.
Mr. Manjunath Prasanna, DM (CO-VIG) Indian Evidence Act,
1872.
Mr.C.Selvakumar, VO, MR & MS, BG Prevention of Corruption
Act, 1988.
Mr.B.Ravi Prakash, VO, NS 1 & NS 2 Minimum Wages Act,
1948.
Mrs.Meena Parameswaran, Sr.DGM-VIG (SU) Indian Factories Act,
1948.
Mr.D.Sozhan, DGM & VO(Corporate) Right to Information Act,
2005.
Mr.Mritunjaykumar, VO (Mil Com & EWA) Indian Contracts Act,
1872.
= >
@ (B)/ . F
G Contributed by
Smt. Mansi Gupta
DM(MARKETING)/ BE PK-Unit
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Important Mile Stones in Certified Public Procurement
Program (CPPP) of World Bank:
The number of BEL Employees and Executives who completed the
CPPP crossed 1000 Mark
and it now stands at 1282 as on 27-01-2016. The Major
Contributors are ; GAD Unit- 382,
Panchkula Unit -266, Hyderabad Unit-195, Kotdwara Unit 41,
Corporate Vigilance -10 and in
BG Compex, CSG 202, EM SBU- 65 and T&BS SBU-42. Besides
this, about 150 employeees
successfully completed the Certified Program in Contract
Management. Jagriti
Congratuates all the successful participants of CPPP and wish
many more joined the stream and
get benefitted.
On 08th December 2015, in the Vigilance Study Circle meeting
held at HAL, Corporate Office, Shri K. Baljit Chander, GM, and Shri
Yashpal Seth, Sr.DGM & VO, of Panchkula Unit was felicitated
for the excellent achievement in CPPP by Panchkula Unit.
Photo Gallery VOs and IOs Meet 2015
VOs/IOs meet Shri Mohan Raj, AGM(Vigilance) delivers the welcome
address.
(Right) Shri M.L.Shanmukh, Director (HR) delivers the inaugural
address.
Mr.Shreenivas Galgali, CVO, KIOCL, and Chief Guest at the
inauguration of VOs/IOs Meet, delivers the Speech.
(Right) Mr.Shivakumar, IAS, CVO BEL delivers the keynote
address.
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Shri.Eswar of BVCI, was given a warm welcome with a bouquet by
Shri Shivakumar, IAS, CVO.
(Right) Shri Eswar speaking at the Training Program on ISO
9001/2015 at the Corporate Auditorium.
Dr.Subramanyeswara Rao, IPS, SP, CBI, Anti Corruption Branch,
Bangalore delivers the Speech
on CBI and its Roles and on salient provisions in the Indian
Penal Code, 1860.
Shri B.L.Singhad, Asst.Director (Retd), IB and now a Consultant,
ACB, Bangalore, explained on
the salient features in the Prevention of Corruption Act,
1988.
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Shri Shivakumar, IAS, CVO presented mementos to the Speakers,
Shri B.L.Singhad, Consultant,
CBI, ACB, Bangalore and Dr.A.Subramanyeswara Rao, SP, CBI, ACB,
Bangalore.
Shri Shivakumar, IAS, CVO inaugurates File Cycle Management
(FLM) for Vigilance Dept.
Shri Manu Rastogi, Manager IS/CO gave a demo on file creation in
FLM Module relating
to certain Vigilance Clerance.
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Shri Shivakumar, IAS, CVO addresses the VOs and IOs during his
interaction meet on 18th
December 2015.
Shri Shivakumar, IAS, CVO with the Vigilance and Investigation
Officers of BEL .
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Vigilance Study Circle Bangalore meeting held at HAL, Corporate
Office on 08-12-2015
Smt Kavitha Kestur, CVO/BEML, Shri Baljit Chander, GM, BEL,
Panchkula Unit, Shri Shivakumar,
CVO/BEL, Shri Mr.Shreenivas Galgali, CVO/KIOCL, at the meeting
of Vigilance Study Circle, Bangalore, held
at HAL Corporate Office on 8th December 2015.
Quotable quotes Say What Is True; Do What Is Right.
If only everyone adheres to the above, the planet we live would
be a paradise.
It's fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed
the lessons of failure
Bill Gates There are two mistakes one can make along the road to
truth - not going all the way, and not starting.
Buddha
Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become
a person of value. Albert Einstein
Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever
ups and downs you come across in your life.
Dr. APJ Kalam
Honest people don't hide their deeds.
Vigilance is the Responsibility of Everyone in the
Organisation
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Important CVC Circulars
No.007/CRD/008 Government of India
Central Vigilance Commission *****
Satarkta Bhawan, Block A,
GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi- 110 023
Dated the 15th February 2008
Circular No. 07/02/08 Subject: Measures to curb the menace of
counterfeit and refurbished IT products - regarding. With the
increasing use of IT to leverage technology, a large number of
Government organizations are either upgrading or in the process of
procurement of new computer hardware and software. It is often
difficult to know the difference between PC made of Genuine Parts
and that made of Counterfeit Parts. It may also be the case often
that while various organisations order and pay for brand new
equipment, they end up getting an inferior PC with counterfeit and
second hand/refurbished parts disguised as new in new/ original
cabinets to various customers designated as consignees by the
ordering agencies at the headquarters of these organizations who
are ignorant or have little or no technical knowledge in the
matter. In effect, this amounts to the organisation not getting
what they actually ordered and paid for. The supplies of such PC in
the long run would defeat the very purpose of going for a new
system. COUNTERFEITING is designed to cheat naive
consumers/organizations. This current circular is intended to help/
inform and enable due diligence as well as curbing the menace of
counterfeit and refurbished IT products disguised as new. As a
first step, there is a need for all buyers in the Government
Departments/ PSU to insist on a signed undertaking (sample format
enclosed) from some authority not lower than the Company Secretary
of the system OEM that would certify that all the
components/parts/assembly/software used in the Desktops and Servers
like Hard disk, Monitors, Memory etc were original/new
components/parts/assembly/software, and that no
refurbished/duplicate/ second hand components /parts / assembly
/software were being used or would be used, so that the buying
organizations were not cheated and get the original equipments as
ordered by them. Also one could ask for Factory Sealed Boxes with
System OEM seal to ensure that the contents have not been changed
en route. Following advisory checkpoints it is hoped shall help
identify the fraudulent practices that have come to notice and help
guard against spurious and refurbished/duplicate/ second hand
components/parts/ assembly / software being received by purchasers
and consignees who receive such goods and may not have much
technical knowledge.
1. CPU. Buyers are cautioned against buying IT Hardware with
remarked CPUs that are freely / readily available in the market
today. Entry Level processors get Remarked / Over clocked and sold
as high end processors. These CPUs, come disguised as higher clock
speed processors (e.g. a Celeron CPU can be remarked as a P4 CPU)
while their real clock speed may be lower. Since Operating System
is loaded from
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CD bundled with Motherboard, the CD contains image of configured
OS. Hence information as seen in My Computer System Properties
shall give deceptive information. In other words, a Celeron CPU
remarked as a P4 CPU, shall be seen as a P4 CPU only. Buyers should
therefore, use various tool / utilities like the CPU-Z Utility or
the sSpecNo. for ascertaining the real parameters of the CPU.
Utility like CPU-Z (appox. 1.3 MB size) are available free on the
web.
2. Hard Disk IT Hardware with refurbished Hard Disks that are
actually 2nd hand /
repaired hard disks are readily available at low cost. In hard
disk drives, the factory repaired hard disk drives, which are
mainly used in the warranty replacements are substituted in the new
machines. Same is the case observed with floppy drive and Optical
disk drives many times. Most of the competent hard disk makers use
a sticker on such hard disks sold by them that clearly
distinguishes such hard disks from the fresh ones. For example,
manufacturer Seagate marks Green Border and label of Certified
Repaired HDD to distinguish such disk drives from New Genuine HDD.
There is No border or Refurbished label on genuine new HDD.
In addition to this, buyers may also use HDTUNE_210 Utility.
This utility shall return Hard Disk Manufacturers Serial no. and
Date of manufacturing of the Hard Disk. These parameters can be
used to cross-verify with the hard disk vendor. Various Hard Disk
vendors also put a date code on the hard disk. A mismatch between
this date and the one returned by HDTUNE_210 Utility can also be
viewed as tampering with the actual information of the hard
disk.
3. Monitors. IT Hardware with refurbished Monitors that are
actually 2nd hand /repaired
monitors are given a new look by changing the body, with
internal components remaining old / repaired. These CRT monitors
are usually discarded from developed countries like US and Europe.
There are also B Grade (New but Low Quality) CRT Monitors used in
place of new monitors. Many times these can be distinguished by
opening the cabinet body and noticing that the label on the tube
does not carry various certifications and there are scratch marks
on the tube. While Genuine Picture Tubes have all mandatory
Certifications, Counterfeit Picture Tubes would not have these
certifications. Certification gives an assurance of
Reliability.
Further many such cathode ray tubes (Picture Tubes) are found to
need extra magnets to achieve focusing and earthing also is
missing. Genuine Monitors rely on Yoke Coil alone to focus
electronic beam. Counterfeit Monitors typically require Numerous
Magnetic Strips in addition to Yoke Coil to focus electronic beam.
Further, Earthing and Shielding provide ESD (Electro Static
Discharge) protection. Genuine Picture Tubes have proper Earthing
and Shielding. Earthing and Shielding is compromised in counterfeit
Picture Tubes to reduce cost. In B Grade LCD Monitors, panels used
are B grade in which the number of spots may be higher, response
time & brightness of lower specs than what is stated. Above
monitors are all available at low cost.
The Signed Undertaking as suggested shall serve as a deterrent
and as a safeguard to ensure that bidders are not fleecing them by
supplying such monitors.
4. Operating System. Purchasers should check the IT Hardware
supplied (randomly
selected IT Hardware) for Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
pasted on the PC for product serial number and OEMs / Suppliers
name to be printed on it. In Operating
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systems, pirated OS software with fake Certificates of
Authenticity are used by some suppliers to cut costs. They look as
good as the real ones. In PCs, counterfeiters buy legitimate
software and copy the box design and packaging. Using sophisticated
and expensive copiers, many copies of illegal CDs are created in a
day. Purchasers should guard against buying IT Hardware with
pirated copies of Operating Systems. Such Operating Systems,
though, available at low prices, do not have the updated patches
and security features that help safeguarding the PC and also
improve its lifespan. Purchasers, therefore, may use the standard
testing procedures (randomly on randomly selected IT Hardware)
available on the following URL for ascertaining the in authenticity
of the operating system installed on their PC
:http://www.microsoft.com/resources/ howtotell/ww/ windows/
default.mspx . Microsoft provides an inbuilt tool to diagnose the
Genuineness of its Operating System. One could go to My Documents,
and Help, from where one shall get step by step instructions to
find out whether the windows installed is genuine.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx
5. Mechanical Keyboards: Fake mechanical keyboards that are
partially mechanical, with only the key plunger being that of a
real mechanical keyboard and rest of the keyboard features
remaining the same as those of membrane keyboard are being passed
on as true mechanical keyboards. While these keyboards are
available at low prices, they do not offer the robustness and long
key-stroke life expected of a real mechanical keyboard. Real
Mechanical Keyboards are expected to have Keystroke life of 50
Million as against 10 million for Membrane and Semi- Mechanical
Keyboards. In case of bulk orders, it is recommended to physically
examine a few keyboards for their construct to ascertain the
genuineness of their being real mechanical keyboards.
6. Low Quality Memory Module Memory chips are remarked or
downgraded wafers are plastic packed under unknown brands or
remarked with names of well known brands. Such memory modules have
lower performance levels. It is better to go in for proven reputed
brands such as Kingston, Transcend, Corsair, Samsung and Hynix to
name a few available in the market.
7. Fraudulently Marked SMPS In power supplies, wrong marking of
the wattage is done. The power supplies do not carry all required
certifications. While Genuine Power supplies carry all mandatory
certifications, in counterfeit Power supplies these certifications
shall be found missing. Further Short circuit & over voltage
protection circuitry could be missing in counterfeit Power Supply
to reduce cost.
8. Counterfeited Consumables Counterfeited consumables such as
printer cartridges etc are used which are refilled with ink of poor
quality leading to poor performance and clogging, smudging in
printers etc. It is advisable to buy such consumables from OEM
authorized suppliers or distributors to ensure quality and
longevity of the printer equipment.
(V. Ramachandran) Chief Technical Examiner
Central Vigilance Commission All Chief Vigilance Officers in the
Ministries/Departments/PSEs/ Public Sector Banks/Insurance
Companies/ Autonomous Organisations/Societies Annexure: Model
Undertaking of Authenticity form
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Format for Undertaking of Authenticity for Desktops and Server
Supplies Sub: Supply of IT Hardware/Software -- Desktops and
Servers Ref : 1. Your Purchase Order No.
------------dated-------.
2. Our invoice no/Quotation no. -------dated--------. With
reference to the Desktops and Servers being supplied /quoted to you
vide our invoice no/quotation no/order no. Cited above,---- We
hereby undertake that all the components/parts/assembly/software
used in the Desktops and Servers under the above like Hard disk,
Monitors, Memory etc shall be original new components/parts/
assembly /software only, from respective OEMs of the products and
that no refurbished/duplicate/ second hand components/parts/
assembly / software are being used or shall be used. We also
undertake that in respect of licensed operating system if asked for
by you in the purchase order, the same shall be supplied along with
the authorised license certificate (eg Product Keys on
Certification of Authenticity in case of Microsoft Windows
Operating System) and also that it shall be sourced from the
authorised source (eg Authorised Microsoft Channel in case of
Microsoft Operating System). Should you require, we hereby
undertake to produce the certificate from our OEM supplier in
support of above undertaking at the time of delivery/installation.
It will be our responsibility to produce such letters from our OEM
suppliers at the time of delivery or within a reasonable time. In
case of default and we are unable to comply with above at the time
of delivery or during installation, for the IT Hardware/Software
already billed, we agree to take back the Desktops and Servers
without demur, if already supplied and return the money if any paid
to us by you in this regard. We (system OEM name) also take full
responsibility of both Parts & Service SLA as per the content
even if there is any defect by our authorized Service Centre/
Reseller/SI etc. Authorised Signatory Name: Designation Place
Date
________________________________________________________________________
EDITORIAL BOARD
Shri S.Mohanraj, AGM(Vigilance)/CO - Chief Editor
Shri. M.Raja Sekaran, Sr.DGM (AC & PV)/CO - Editor
Smt. Meena Parameshwaran, Sr.DGM & VO (SU) & CSG -
Member
Shri .Yashpal Seth, SR.DGM & VO/PK - Member
Shri. B.Ravi Prakash, DGM & VO, NS1 & NS 2 - Member
Shri .C. Selvakumar, DGM & VO, MS & MR - Member
Smt.Shirin Samuel, DGM/CC-CO - Member
__________________________________________________________
Articles, Cartoons, Slogans, Quotes related to Vigilance,
Corruption and other issues of
Public interest are invited from the Readers for publication in
the Jagriti News letter.
Readers comments and suggestions for improvement may be sent to
Editor-in Chief,
Bharat Electronics Limited, Corporate Office, Outer Ring Road,
Nagavara, Bengaluru-
560045.