Saturday, March 11, 2023

Indian Major Ports & Dock Officers Association alleges financial irregularities and misuse of public money in Mumbai Port Authority

Mumbai, 11 March 2023 – Indian Major Ports & Dock Officers Association has alleged financial irregularities, misuse of public money in Mumbai Port Authority. The association had registered complaint to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and has requested for immediate inquiry and prompt action in this matter. The association has shared details of the representation and complaints of the case (Attached).  

The association has also registered complaint to CVC vide letter dated 06.12.2022 and to hon’ble Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways vide letter dated 04.11.2022, against the financial irregularities of Sri Rajiv Jalota, IAS, Chairman – Mumbai Port Authority. The association also charged Sri. Rajiv Jalota for misuse of public money and causing loss to government exchequer.  

Acting on the details and representations by the association, complaints are registered by the CVC and also by the Cabinet Secretary and sent to Shipping Ministry / CVO of Mumbai Port Authority for inquiry and to submit report. 

Sharing more details, R. Santhanam President, Indian Major Ports & Dock Officers Association said, “As there is no spontaneous action noticed in the matter and lot of time is being taken in the name of inquiry, etc, we want to appeal to relevant authorities through hon’ble Press, to kindly highlight the irregularities. We hereby request to authorities that immediate action has to be taken against him for violation of Rules and for his misconduct.”  

The association has further alleged that, as Sri. Rajiv Jalota is Chairman – Mumbai Port Authority, he is not supplying information under RTI Act in IPA (Indian Ports Association), and thereby violating the RTI Act. Sri Jalota is also violating Union Cabinet decisions and Central Govt orders and harassing SC officers in Mumbai Port. 

R. Santhanam further added, “Sri. Rajiv Jalota is not eligible to hold the post of Chairman as per the latest Rules of Major Port Authorities (Chairperson, Dy Chairperson and Board Members) Rules 2022 (which are notified and published in the Gazette on 26.9.2022), since he is no longer a Joint Secretary, but elevated to Secretary cadre and he is working under his junior, which is a violation of hierarchy in the Port sector and the junior officers are not taking action against him because he is senior to them,”

Sri R. Santhanam, President, Indian Major Ports & Dock Officers Association, (Reg no. 46/ 2018 ) conducted a press conference and stated the following:


1. He has given a compliant to the Union Shipping Minister against the irregularities committed by Sri Rajiv Jalota, IAS, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority, in conducting Board meetings, disobeying Ministry’s orders, etc, vide his compliant dt 4.11.2022, under copy to the hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the same has been referred by the Cabinet Secretary for inquiry and to submit a report to the Prime Minister, 


2. He has also given a compliant to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on the irregularities committed by Sri Rajiv Jalota in tenders, drawing cafeteria allowance, etc, vide compliant dt 6.12.2022 and the same was registered by CVC vide compliant number 2413 / 2022 and forwarded to the CVO of Ministry of Shipping for investigation and report.


3. He further alleged that Sri Rajiv Jalota, IAS, Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority is illegally drawing the Cafeteria allowance @ Rs. 78,750/- per month, even though he is not eligible for the same, since he in on deputation to Mumbai Port Authority. He also alleged that the Chairman is drawing this allowance without the approval of the Shipping Minister and thereby, he is causing loss to the public exchequer with dishonest intentions, and Ports like Paradip and Kolkata are not paying the Cafeteria allowance to the Chairmen, 


4. He is spending crores of rupees for renovation and decoration of his bungalow unauthorisedly, and all these works are given to the contractors without calling for open tenders and without displaying in public portals / website and there by violating CVC instructions on tenders and works,


5. He is not paying the arrears to the officers and employees, but he is spending crores of rupees for his bungalow repairs and renovation and enjoying lavish life, when 5000 Port employees and Pensioners are not being paid their arrears so far, and he has spent more than 50 lakhs only for lighting of his bungalow,


6. He is violating Union Cabinet decisions and Central Govt orders and harassing SC officers in Mumbai Port,


7. He is not supplying information under RTI Act in IPA ( Indian Ports Association) for which he is also Chairman, and thereby violating the RTI Act,


8. He is violating CVC instructions and not following CVC advise in disciplinary cases, 


9. He is not eligible to hold the post of Chairman as per the latest Rules of Major Port Authorities (Chairperson, Dy Chairperson and Board Members) Rules 2022 ( which are notified and published in the Gazette on 26.9.2022), since he is no longer a Joint Secretary, but elevated to Secretary cadre and he is working under his junior, which is a violation of hierarchy in the Port sector and the junior officers are not taking action against him because he is senior to them,


And hereby requested that immediate action has to be taken against him for violation of Rules and for his misconduct.  


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