MR. SPEAKER: Now, the House will take up `Zero Hour”.
… (Interruptions)
Title: Demanded prosecution of a politically influential Customs Officer posted in the Calcutta Port with the charge of forgery and illegal trading of imported articles as an accomplice of a gang of criminals which led to the loss of Rs. 100 crore to the exchequer.
SARDAR BUTA SINGH (JALORE): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have already given a notice. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was established … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri Hannan Mollah.
SHRI HANNAN MOLLAH (ULUBERIA): Sir, I like to place a very serious matter before the House. I like to draw your attention that the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, is trying to protect and shield an officer who is responsible at least for the loss of Rs.100 crore to the exchequer. It is a big scandal. You know, Sir, that in our country there is a scheme, Duty Exemption Scheme thar permits Import for Export. Through this scheme, people import certain articles from outside and after making certain modifications, they export the same. But certain groups of people are importing things and selling them inside the country and not fulfilling their obligation of exporting them. In collusion with the Customs Officer, they are taking a false certificate of compilation of export obligation. Due to this, the Government is losing its revenue. At least a sum of Rs.100 crore has been lost by the Government. A group of companies are doing it for the last seven or eight years. One Customs Officer in the Calcutta, has managed to stay there for 14 years though his term should be only for six years, and he was doing all these things. When CBI got the information in 1996, at attempt was made to hush up the case. In 1997, CBI succeeded to file a case.
Then, what happened is that DEC, section of Calcutta Customs caught fire… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please understand that today 52 notices for raising matters in `Zero Hour” have been received. Please conclude.
SHRI HANNAN MOLLAH : Sir, please give me two more minutes.
Sir, I will certify all the documents and deposit on the floor of the House. Sir, the letter written by the CBI is with me. The particular section of the Calcutta Customs caught fire and the documents were burnt. When the CBI served a notice to these companies, two persons among them were booked under COFEPOSA. They replied all their books were lost. Ultimately, CBI wrote a letter to the Additional Secretary of Finance seeking permission to register a case against that particular officer on 3rd March. What happened is that … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: This is not a debate. This is Zero Hour. You can mention briefly whatever you want to say.
SHRI HANNAN MOLLAH : Sir, the Ministry of Finance did not permit the CBI to file the case still. This officer ”s name is in the list of promotion at serial number 37, and next week he may be promoted. After he is promoted, for seeking the permission to register a case against that officer, the CBI has to go to the President and normally the Ministry of Finance will not be able to give its permission for prosecution. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Now, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan.
SHRI HANNAN MOLLAH : Sir, there is an attempt to hush up and to shield that officer, who is responsible for the loss of Rs.100 crore to the exchequer, and that officer is transferred to Bangalore as Additional Collector of customs … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: You are not allowing the other Members to raise their matter in `Zero Hour”.
SHRI HANNAN MOLLAH : He is helping his political boss. He is now helping his political boss to collect the fund. That officer is helping his political boss to collect the fund. It is a serious charge of corruption. The Government, the Ministry of Finance is helping to promote that officer. … (Interruptions)The CBI’s letter is with me. I demand that the Government should give permission for the prosecution of that officer.
MR. SPEAKER: Is there anything from the Government side?
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Hannan Mollah, you are not allowing the other Members to speak. Is there anything from the Government side?
पेट्रोलियम और प्राकृतिक गैस मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री तथा संसदीय कार्य मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री संतोष कुमार गंगवार) : मान्यवर, माननीय सदस्य श्री हन्नान मोल्लाह जी ने जो विवरण दिया है, मैं माननीय वित्त मंत्री जी के संज्ञान में उसे लाऊंगा और जो भी उचित होगा वह करेंगे।
