Governor fights corruption

Corruption and misuse of authority, favouritism are eating into the vitals of Indian society. This is an unexpected phenomenon. We have seen that the country earned bad name on account of mega scams in past few years. It tarnished our image and those responsible for doing so are insensitive to the loss of prestige and good name of the nation. No surprise that one of the causes of downfall of Congress-led Government was its dismal record of corruption and scams in the State departments and no meaningful action taken by the authorities.
In our State also, there are innumerable complaints of corruption and other malpractices against the Government departments/functionaries. This will be gauged from the information disclosed by the Secretary GAD in a formal meeting called by the Governor with the Vigilance Organization and Vigilance Commission separately.  He said that 16 cases were pending for sanction of prosecution, which included 7 cases relating to the Public Sector Undertakings/ Autonomous Bodies. The Director Vigilance informed that last year, 79 cases were registered against 240 public servants, including 106 Gazetted Officers and 30 public servants were caught red handed while accepting bribe. CVC Kuldeep Khoda and Vigilance Commissioner R K Jerath informed the Governor in the same meeting that 1157 complaints were received by the State Vigilance Commission in 2014, out of which 64 cases have been referred for Departmental/ Administrative Action while registration of FIRs has been directed in respect of 26 cases.  During the last 5 years, 8372 Enquiries/Complaints have been referred to the Departmental Vigilance Officers.
The Governor, like any other patriotic person, is worried about corruption becoming rampant in the administrative structure and those alleged to be corrupt escape scot free. The worst is that some of the functionaries knowing that they are identified for corruption continue to indulge in corrupt practices for pecuniary interests. The Governor has issued direction to Vigilance, GAD Department to submit the list of such Government functionaries to him before 15th of February, which have cases and inquiry pending against them. He is eager that the process of completing the inquiry should go unhindered. Actually, the functionaries alleged to be corrupt and unworthy of public trust have managed to save their skins by appeasing the seniors or bringing political pressure on them. The then elected Government was weak and pusillanimous and yielded to the pressure.
It is true that Governor’s rule makes large space for honest and dedicated functionaries in the administration at various levels. And there are many honest and sincere functionaries in the administrative structure who would be very happy to see to it that corrupt persons are brought to book. As such the people will pin hope in positive results of the action taken by the Governor. It is also to be said that the new Government at the Centre has already pledged itself to clean, honest and good governance. Its impact should be felt in the State in letter and in spirit. We should welcome the quick decision of the Governor in bringing clean and responsive administration to deal with the problems of the people in the State. There is appreciation for the Governor asking Vigilance Organization and Vigilance Commission chiefs to interact with the Heads of the Departments on monthly basis to take stock of things. This will keep them harnessed all the time and will improve delivery system. A very pragmatic decision taken by the Government is that he has directed the Vigilance organizations to encourage the people to bring complaints of corruption or nepotism or other misdoings to their notice without disclosing their names. It is true that corruption can be controlled and overcome by bringing awareness among the masses of people and the Vigilance Organizations have the responsibility of working towards that end. We hope that the Governor will be able to clean most of the deck if not all because corruption is steeped in the system and it cannot be cleaned in one go.

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