Kolkata: Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), addressed a training-cum-interactive session on “Public Procurement” and “Vigilance in the Current Context” organised by Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), Kolkata.
The programme was conducted as part of DFCCIL’s Three-Month Campaign on Preventive Vigilance and focused on strengthening awareness of public procurement procedures, identifying vigilance-related risks and promoting better governance through preventive measures.
SECL CVO Highlights Transparency in Public Procurement
During the session, Himanshu Jain emphasised the importance of transparency, fairness, accountability and probity in public procurement.
Drawing on practical examples and case studies, he explained how vigilance principles can be integrated into procurement processes to support informed, objective and transparent decision-making.
The session focused on:
- Strengthening understanding of public procurement procedures.
- Identifying vigilance-related risks at different stages.
- Promoting transparency and fairness in procurement.
- Improving accountability and probity.
- Integrating preventive vigilance into procurement processes.
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Key Stages of Procurement Cycle Discussed
Jain discussed various stages of the procurement cycle and highlighted potential risks associated with each stage.
The discussion covered:
- Need assessment.
- Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
- Tendering process.
- Bid evaluation.
- Award of contracts.
- Project execution.
- Payment processes.
Potential vigilance risks at different stages were discussed along with measures that organisations can adopt to mitigate these risks.
Focus on Preventive Vigilance and Better Governance
Emphasising the importance of preventive vigilance, Jain said its role goes beyond merely identifying or preventing irregularities.
A well-designed preventive vigilance framework can help organisations:
- Improve existing processes.
- Identify and reduce operational risks.
- Strengthen governance mechanisms.
- Support objective decision-making.
- Improve the overall efficiency of procurement systems.
The session highlighted how preventive vigilance can be used as a tool for continuous process improvement and better organisational governance.
SECL and DFCCIL Exchange Procurement Best Practices
A key feature of the programme was the interactive exchange between officers of SECL and DFCCIL.
Participants discussed practical challenges faced during procurement and shared approaches followed by their respective organisations.
The interaction provided an opportunity for both organisations to:
- Exchange organisational experiences.
- Share procurement-related best practices.
- Discuss practical issues and possible solutions.
- Learn from each other’s approaches.
- Explore ways to strengthen procurement systems.
Officials from SECL and DFCCIL Participate
Officials and employees of DFCCIL participated in the programme.
Officers from various tender-related departments of SECL also joined the session through video conferencing, including young executives from SECL Headquarters and MDI, Bilaspur.
The participation of officers from different procurement-related functions helped facilitate a broader exchange of experiences and practical knowledge.
Capacity Building Through Preventive Vigilance
The programme formed part of ongoing efforts towards capacity building and preventive vigilance across organisations.
The initiative placed particular emphasis on:
- Sharing best practices.
- Strengthening public procurement systems.
- Identifying and mitigating vigilance risks.
- Promoting transparency and accountability.
- Improving governance and decision-making.
The interactive format enabled participants to gain practical insights while encouraging greater collaboration between SECL and DFCCIL.
About SECL
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is one of India’s major coal-producing companies and a subsidiary of Coal India Limited. Headquartered in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, SECL is engaged in coal mining and plays an important role in meeting the country’s energy requirements.
About DFCCIL
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. It is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining dedicated freight corridors in India to facilitate faster and more efficient freight transportation.
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