Kolkata: Emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, fairness and probity in public procurement, Shri Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), addressed a training-cum-interactive session organized by the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) in Kolkata.
The program, focused on “Public Procurement” and “Vigilance in the Current Context,” was organized as part of the ongoing Three-Month Campaign on Preventive Vigilance. The session brought together officials from both organizations to exchange experiences, discuss challenges and share best practices aimed at strengthening procurement systems and promoting good governance.
Focus on Transparent and Accountable Procurement
During his address, Shri Jain highlighted the critical importance of ensuring that public procurement processes are conducted with the highest standards of integrity, objectivity and transparency.
Drawing upon practical examples and case studies, he explained how the principles of vigilance and preventive oversight can be effectively integrated into various stages of the procurement process. Such an approach, he noted, can help organizations make more informed, transparent and objective decisions while minimizing the possibility of irregularities.
The discussion covered the entire procurement cycle, beginning with need assessment and extending through the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), tendering, bid evaluation, contract awards, project execution and payments.
Identifying Risks at Every Stage
A major focus of the interactive session was the identification of potential vigilance-related risks at different stages of public procurement.
Participants discussed possible challenges and vulnerabilities that organizations may encounter during the planning, tendering and implementation phases of projects. The session also explored various measures that can be adopted to mitigate risks, strengthen internal systems and ensure greater compliance with established procedures.
Shri Jain emphasized that an effective procurement system should not merely focus on procedural compliance but should also promote fair competition, accountability and ethical decision-making.
Preventive Vigilance as a Tool for Better Governance
Highlighting the broader role of preventive vigilance, the SECL CVO said that its purpose goes far beyond merely detecting or preventing irregularities.
A well-designed preventive vigilance framework, he observed, can assist organizations in identifying systemic weaknesses, improving operational processes, reducing institutional risks and strengthening overall governance and decision-making.
The approach, therefore, should focus on creating systems that prevent problems before they occur rather than addressing them only after an irregularity has been detected.
Exchange of Best Practices Between SECL and DFCCIL
One of the key highlights of the program was the interactive exchange of ideas and experiences between officials of SECL and DFCCIL.
Participants discussed practical issues encountered during procurement activities and shared the approaches adopted by their respective organizations to address such challenges. The exchange provided an important platform for mutual learning and enabled both organizations to benefit from each other’s institutional experience.
The discussions also explored ways to further strengthen procurement mechanisms through the adoption of relevant best practices, risk-management strategies and preventive vigilance measures.
Broad Participation Through Video Conferencing
Officials and employees of DFCCIL actively participated in the session in Kolkata. Meanwhile, officers from various tender-related departments of SECL, including young executives from SECL Headquarters and MDI, Bilaspur, joined the program through video conferencing.
The participation of officers from different departments added a broader perspective to the discussions and enabled the sharing of diverse experiences related to procurement and vigilance.
Commitment to Capacity Building and Good Governance
The program formed part of the continuing efforts of the organizations toward capacity building and preventive vigilance.
By creating platforms for professional interaction and knowledge-sharing, such initiatives seek to strengthen institutional systems, improve procurement practices and promote a culture of transparency, accountability and ethical governance.
The interactive session at DFCCIL, Kolkata, underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among public sector organizations. The exchange of practical experiences and best practices is expected to contribute to more efficient, transparent and robust public procurement systems.
The initiative also reaffirmed SECL’s commitment to preventive vigilance and good governance, while demonstrating how inter-organizational cooperation can play an important role in strengthening institutional processes and promoting greater accountability in the public sector.
