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Here is a Tale of Whistleblowers in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL)
President of HPCL Officers Association (HPMSA) Shri .Ashok Singh, was Convener of Oil Sector Officer’s Association (OSOA) also since 1997. Oil Sector had successful salary revision during the BJP regime after an 8 hours strike on 11th Jan. 2000, Later he could stop Privatization of HPCL/BPCL by a judgment from Hon’ble Supreme Court in Sept. 2003.
Political leadership of MOP& NG and bureaucrats were scared of this formidable leader in the oil sector and specially at this crucial juncture while salary revision was due and Parliament Elections were around the corner, 3 unsuccessful attempts of strike on 30th May 2006, 5th Sept. 2006 and 21st August 2007 had emboldened the bureaucrats that neutralizing the leaders by punitive Administrative measures will break the OSOA, and Govt. can get away by offering peanuts to PSU oil officers.
The sinister design came into play from May 2008, while HPCL officers opposing the arbitrary appointment of an Ex HPCL officer as a CEO of HPC’s JV with Colas SA. France (HINCOL), went on a flash strike .HPCL Management under instructions from Shastri Bhavan (MOP&NG) promptly issued charge sheets to Shri .Ashok Singh and his coordinator in OSOA R.P.Srivastava for instigating the officer to proceed on flash strike.
Ashok Singh armed with all necessary information received through his Advocate under RTI Act 2005 on a ‘Marker’ system, which was introduced on 4.10.06 by Minister of petroleum &NG Shri Murli Deora with lot of fan-fare and National publicity, filed a CBI Complaint against then Secretary Petroleum and Natural Gas . Mr.M.S. Srinivasan , the UK based Supplier M/s. Authentix and their Indian Agents M/s. SGS Ltd. to Joint Director CBI (Western Region) Mumbai, irked bureaucrats promptly ensured that Shri .Ashok Singh is suspended within 4 days after filing complaint in a misappropriation case for an irregularity in one of the Retail outlets ( He had 140 such outlets) under his jurisdiction along with 2 more officers.(TOI news item dt. 4.6.08)
Basis their CBI complaint one spirited citizen of NAPM (National Alliance of People’s Movement) filed a PIL in Mumbai High court on 16th June 2008. Against then Secretary Petroleum, OMC’s Chairmen, PPAC, CBI, MOeF, Legal Metrology, Authentix and SGS, Hon’ble Mumbai High Court in their judgment on 23rd Oct. directed MOP & NG, Vigilance and CBI to conduct enquiries.
R & D of OMC’s have declared in their report dt. 25th Sept.08 that the alleged ‘Marker’, which was launched as ‘ foolproof’ and most effective weapon against the Adulteration can be laundered by ordinary ‘clay’ Interestingly this ‘marker” was procured for Rs. 200 Crores by OMC’s @ Rs.10000/- litre may not be north even Rs. 10/- / litre MOP & NG for reason best known to them discontinued Marker w.e.f. 31.12.2008.( Indian express report dt 5th oct 2008).
Repeated Appeals and personal audience (at least at 3 occasions) to CVC (Central Vigilance Commission) under Govt. of India’s resolution for” Whistle Blower Protection” against victimization, yielded no result on the contrary, CVC in their order dt 30th oct 2008 , advised that both the officers that they will not be accorded protection of” whistle blowers’ and treated as a plain complainant. It is shocking that CVC has overlooked a Rs. 200 cr. fraud and refused to accord protection to 2 upright, honest, bold and courageous officers who have dared to expose corruption in high places specially against their own Ministry and Minister under whom they are working, and the corporations which claim to have compliance of clause 49 of corporate governance and a signatory of pact with ‘Transparency international’. The OIL psu’s have blatantly violated the Vigilance manual and guidelines on purchase procedures and placed Purchase orders on nomination basis, one such example in Shell’s refinery up gradation which has drained hundreds of crores from Govt’s exchequer, which is used for subsidizing OIL OMC’s losses by way of Bonds. In fact OIL PSU’s are shielding and camouflaging their inefficiencies, wasteful, imprudent , unproductive expenditures and Extravaganza in the garb under recoveries ( ET ‘s news item dt 8th may 2009)
Interestingly the above Secretary petroleum , pocketed bonuses , being on the Board of other oil companies , and DPE took strong exception to this and a directive was issued to such public servants , to refund bonuses received in their official capacities.(TOI. news item dt. 29.12.08).
It is reliably learnt that Investigating Agencies have commenced investigations; however no visible action has been taken so far (Indian Express news dt 24.12.08) .The young Gen. Secy. Of the ruling party has himself confessed in a recent press conference that CBI has been misused by the ruling parties, hence CBI’s selective inaction is explainable.
HPCL management suspended R.P.Srivastava alleging his involvement in the OIL sector strike on 7- 9th Jan 2009. (Incidentally HPCL was the only company ,which had not participated in the strike}, HPCL finally dismissed both the officers from service on 12th march 2009, after a show of conducting a slip-shod enquiry in their May 2008 incident and in violation of corporation’s own statuary provisions of CDA rules.
Both the officers have filed writ petitions, in the Mumbai high court seeking justice against CVC ‘s order ,HPCL Management, Minister of Petroleum for quashing of their compounding punishment in the hands of HPCL Management( HT news item dt 2nd May 2009)
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Advani woos Govt, PSU staff with better pay package
Advani woos Govt, PSU staff with better pay package
7 May 2009, 0228 hrs IST, ET Bureau
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Advani-woos-govt-staff-with-better-pay/articleshow/4493626.cms
NEW DELHI: After wooing the personnel of the armed forces by promising to execute the one-rank-one-pension scheme and ensuring tax-exemption, BJP
has now turned its gaze on another important section — employees of the central and state governments, as also those working in various public sector undertakings.
A day before the fourth phase of polls, L K Advani, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, promised to set right the “anomalies” in the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, and to take steps to strengthen PSUs if NDA was voted to power.
“I appeal to all government and PSU employees in Delhi and elsewhere to vote for the candidates fielded by BJP and its allies in NDA,” Mr Advani said in a statement issued on the eve of the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. If elected to power, NDA would, Mr Advani said, set right the “anomalies” in the Pay Commission’s recommendations “which have led to dissatisfaction among Group B, C and D category employees”.
The BJP leader’s assurance was calculated to lure the government employees, who were, in the assessment of the party, in either case, very angry with the Manmohan Singh government for its failure to rein in prices of essential commodities and tax rates of home loans, into backing his party.
Government employees constitute an important segment in constituencies such as New Delhi, East Delhi and South Delhi while public sectors undertakings are present in various parts of India. Besides being voters themselves, they were also seen as opinion-makers.
Mr Advani also suggested formulation of a suitable policy to help government employees own a house after retirement. He, at the same time, accused the government of pursuing “anti-worker policies” and said this had resulted in “a lot of anguish and anger among PSU employees, especially employees of the Oil Sector PSUs”.
An NDA government, he sought to assure, will “sympathetically” look into the grievances of PSU employees, fulfiling their “legitimate demands” and ensuring “speedy justice in cases of victimisation”, he said in a bid to woo the 16.14 lakh-strong employees of PSUs dotted all across the country. He pledged to further strengthen public sector, especially infrastructure development.
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http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=afa2d2c5-51d2-489f-8fe2-e42ed889754b
Advani tells PSU, Govt employees to vote for BJP
Promising to look into the grievances of government and public sector unit employees and removal of anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani today appealed to all government officials to vote for his party.
"I appeal to all government and PSU employees in Delhi and elsewhere to vote for the candidates fielded by BJP and its allies in the NDA (for May 7 polls)," Advani said in a statement.
The veteran leader promises that if elected to power, BJP-led NDA would set right the anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations, which has led to dissatisfaction among Group B,C and D category employees.
He also suggests formulation of a suitable policy to help government employees own a house after retirement.
Accusing the UPA of neglecting the needs of PSU employees, Advani says in his statement, "There is a lot of anguish and anger among PSU employees, especially employees of the Oil Sector PSUs".
7 May 2009, 0228 hrs IST, ET Bureau
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Advani-woos-govt-staff-with-better-pay/articleshow/4493626.cms
NEW DELHI: After wooing the personnel of the armed forces by promising to execute the one-rank-one-pension scheme and ensuring tax-exemption, BJP
has now turned its gaze on another important section — employees of the central and state governments, as also those working in various public sector undertakings.
A day before the fourth phase of polls, L K Advani, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, promised to set right the “anomalies” in the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, and to take steps to strengthen PSUs if NDA was voted to power.
“I appeal to all government and PSU employees in Delhi and elsewhere to vote for the candidates fielded by BJP and its allies in NDA,” Mr Advani said in a statement issued on the eve of the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. If elected to power, NDA would, Mr Advani said, set right the “anomalies” in the Pay Commission’s recommendations “which have led to dissatisfaction among Group B, C and D category employees”.
The BJP leader’s assurance was calculated to lure the government employees, who were, in the assessment of the party, in either case, very angry with the Manmohan Singh government for its failure to rein in prices of essential commodities and tax rates of home loans, into backing his party.
Government employees constitute an important segment in constituencies such as New Delhi, East Delhi and South Delhi while public sectors undertakings are present in various parts of India. Besides being voters themselves, they were also seen as opinion-makers.
Mr Advani also suggested formulation of a suitable policy to help government employees own a house after retirement. He, at the same time, accused the government of pursuing “anti-worker policies” and said this had resulted in “a lot of anguish and anger among PSU employees, especially employees of the Oil Sector PSUs”.
An NDA government, he sought to assure, will “sympathetically” look into the grievances of PSU employees, fulfiling their “legitimate demands” and ensuring “speedy justice in cases of victimisation”, he said in a bid to woo the 16.14 lakh-strong employees of PSUs dotted all across the country. He pledged to further strengthen public sector, especially infrastructure development.
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http://www.hindustantimes.in/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=afa2d2c5-51d2-489f-8fe2-e42ed889754b
Advani tells PSU, Govt employees to vote for BJP
Promising to look into the grievances of government and public sector unit employees and removal of anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission, BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani today appealed to all government officials to vote for his party.
"I appeal to all government and PSU employees in Delhi and elsewhere to vote for the candidates fielded by BJP and its allies in the NDA (for May 7 polls)," Advani said in a statement.
The veteran leader promises that if elected to power, BJP-led NDA would set right the anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission's recommendations, which has led to dissatisfaction among Group B,C and D category employees.
He also suggests formulation of a suitable policy to help government employees own a house after retirement.
Accusing the UPA of neglecting the needs of PSU employees, Advani says in his statement, "There is a lot of anguish and anger among PSU employees, especially employees of the Oil Sector PSUs".
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Whistleblower in Oil Sector Seeks Court Directive
Whistleblower Seeks Court Protection.
Dear Members,
Your kind attention is invited to the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, 2nd May 2009, Page 4 Article titled "Whistle Blower seeks protection".
I hereby call upon the members and all concerned citizens to convey their total support to the crusader against corruption, RTI activist and Whistle Blower.
It may kindly be appreciated that by showing solidarity towards the officer who is fighting for us, we can protect us from the arbitrary, illegal and high-handed acts of the Oil PSU management / corrupt Govt of India officers.
I earnestly seek your support.
With kind regards,--
Babubhai Vaghela
(Administrator - Google Group - Right to Information Act 2005)
Ashok Singh Whistle Blower
Dear Members,
Your kind attention is invited to the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, 2nd May 2009, Page 4 Article titled "Whistle Blower seeks protection".
I hereby call upon the members and all concerned citizens to convey their total support to the crusader against corruption, RTI activist and Whistle Blower.
It may kindly be appreciated that by showing solidarity towards the officer who is fighting for us, we can protect us from the arbitrary, illegal and high-handed acts of the Oil PSU management / corrupt Govt of India officers.
I earnestly seek your support.
With kind regards,--
Babubhai Vaghela
(Administrator - Google Group - Right to Information Act 2005)
Ashok Singh Whistle Blower
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