Misappropriation of Government money to the tune of Rs.8.31 Crores in Postal Department

No. PU-19/1/2022-PMU-DOP

Government of India 

Ministry of Communications 

Department of Posts 

(Project Management Unit)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi-110001 Dated 29 May 2024 03-June 2024

Sub: Misappropriation of Government money to the tune of Rs. 8.31 Crores by Shri K. Naresh Kumar, the then SPM, Chintapalli SO under Bhongir HO of Telangana Circle-reg.

Ref.

i. Vigilance Division note no. 4-80/TL-02/2020-Inv dated 15.02.2024& email dated 16.05.2024.(copy attached)

ii. CEPT letter no. CEPT-7/Misc/Digs/Vol-II dated 22.04.2024, email dated 12.05.2024, 21.05.2024 & 22.05.2024.(copy attached)

iii. TCS email dated 10.05.2024, 20.05.2024 & 21.05.2024.(copy attached)

This is with reference to Vigilance Division note no. 4-80/TL-02/2020-Inv dated 15.02.2024 regarding misappropriation of Government money to the tune of Rs. 8.31 Crores by Shri K. Naresh Kumar, the then SPM, Chintapalli SO under Bhongir HO of Telangana Circle.

2. In this regard, it is to submit that CEPT and TCS were requested to examine the matter and submit their inputs.

3.The CEPT has responded with following observations/suggestions: -

"(a) The process has not been automated in IT 1.0. When an operational process is not automated, it has to be monitored with the help of available reports. Currently, CEPT are having a hybrid environment comprising IT 2.0 in the BO and IT 1.0 in the AO. Full process automation is envisaged in IT 2.0. Until such time, a too close monitoring of remittances and acknowledgements must be ensured by Divisional Offices and HOS. This may kindly be reiterated to the Circles.

(b) Relevant questions in inspection questionnaires with regard to the subject are in the attached document. This may kindly be communicated to the Circles in the interest of preventive vigilance."

3.1.4.The TCS has responded with following observations/suggestions: -

"(a).The misappropriation done by the user is intentional and fraudulent activity is done in various categories like fictious remittances from and to branch offices, NREGS payments, SSP payments, PLI/RLPI payments, SB deposits etc.

(b) User has neither acknowledged the cash sent to his office nor he has acknowledged the cash sent from BOS, as per the DoP process/SOP. User has deliberately done fraudulent entries of cash issuance in CSI system but has never issued the physical cash.

(c). As mentioned in point 9 of section 3 on page 16, user has done manual accounting entries through voucher posting in the CSISAP system instead of DoP defined workflow process.

(d) User has used the credentials of a retired person to make fraudulent entries in the CSI SAP system.

(e) Based on above observations, CSI recommends that RDAS should ensure that the access/roles/credentials of all employees, who are no longer part of the department (Superannuated, Deputed etc.) should be immediately revoked. RDAS should also review the roles assigned to users frequently."

In view of the inputs of CEPT and TCS, the following action may kindly be taken: -

(a).CEPT are having a hybrid environment comprising IT 2.0 in the BO and IT 1.0 in the AO. Full process automation is envisaged in IT 2.0. Until such time, a close monitoring of remittances and acknowledgements must be ensured by Divisional Offices and HOS. The same may please be communicated to the Circles in the interest of preventive vigilance. (Action: Technology/RB Division).

(b). CEPT has submitted some relevant questions/points may be incorporated/added (if not available) in inspection questionnaires w.r.t. the said case or similar cases, and requested the same may please be communicated to the Circles in the interest of preventive vigilance. (Action: PG, QA & I- Division).

(c). CSI has recommended that the access/roles/credentials of all employees, who are no longer part of the department (Superannuated, Deputed etc.) should be immediately revoked & review the roles assigned to users frequently and avoid manual accounting entries through voucher posting in the CSI SAP system instead of DoP defined workflow process. The same may please be communicated to the Circles in the interest of preventive vigilance. (Action: PO/FS Division).

5.This issues with the approval of competent authority.

ADG (PMU)

Director (Vigilance), Dak Bhawan,

New Delhi-110001

Enclosers: As above

To,

Copy for information and n/a to: -

1.DDG (PG, QA & I), Dak Bhawan.

2.DDG (RB) - Dak Bhawan.

3.DDG (Technology) - Dak Bhawan.

4.DDG (FS) Dak Bhawan.

5.DDG (PO)- Dak Bhawan.

Download No. PU-19/1/2022-PMU-DOP dated 03.06.2024