It is almost incredible that the two super agencies of State Vigilance are hand in glove with some corrupt bureaucrats at the senior rungs of administration. State Vigilance Organization is covertly shielding some senior officials against whom cases of corruption, misuse of power and other gross irregularities have come to light. Investigation in the cases is deliberately obstructed and procrastinated just because the alleged officers not only enjoy political clout but have developed nexus of sorts with the top functionaries in the SVO. In many cases FIR is not at all filed, and in other cases where it is filed, intentional obstructions are created in free flow of the rule of law. SVO brazenly shields them and even would not enlist their names in the half yearly reports of the highest anti-graft body being presented in the State Legislature. It has thrown an iron curtain around the alleged corrupt officers against whom investigation has to be conducted. This clearly shows that leave side taking steps to eradicate corruption from the state administration, the SVO is actively contributing to the proliferation of corruption and thus discreetly undermining the policy of the Coalition Government of eradicating corruption from administration, a commitment made by it in the Agenda of Alliance.
Our sources have made startling disclosure of a number of cases with specific history indicating how brazenly the State Vigilance Commission is lending its full support to the SVO, obviously in contravention of the terms of reference of its area of duty. Being a superior organization, its function is to monitor the performance of the SVO and ensure that anti-corruption laws are enforced without fear or favour. By turning Nelson’s eye to the irregularities, favouritism and corrupt practices of indicted senior bureaucrats and some other Government functionaries and not censuring the SVO for deliberately stretching investigation into their cases of corruption, the State Vigilance Commission has not only abused the law and the trust civil society has reposed in it but has brought itself to the morass of defamation and infamy. Investigation into alleged cases of corruption is expected to reach its logical conclusion but the logic applied by these two high-profile anti-graft organizations insulates practitioners of corruption in state administration to the extent that they not only go scot free but enjoy more privileges, plum postings and more power.
Some blatant cases are in sight that corroborates our assessment of the two vigilance bodies. The 4000 metric tonnes of TMT bars purchase scam against top functionaries of Store Procurement Department was presented by SVO for closure after five years of dragged-on enquiry. However, the Special Judge Anti-corruption took the closure application as challan and observed that some mysterious hands had worked in favour of accused compelling the investigating agency to take a U-turn and file the closure report. A senior bureaucrat presently Administrative Secretary of a Department is involved in multi-crore solar lights scam of 2009. Enquiry against him has not concluded because of his close connections with the top officers of the State Vigilance Organization. The scam was unearthed by CAG but the SVO manoeuvred long delay in its investigation just because the officer concerned has strong links with higher ups. Investigating Officer conducting investigation in Rajouri Development Authority scam, established that during particular officer’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer, works of different nature were executed in blatant violation of the guidelines. He violated the rules to benefit the contractor. A case of alleged corruption against some senior officers of Higher Education Department is pending since a long time and inquiry is delayed inordinately. These officers are alleged to have bungled in making purchases for the Department. Some senior engineers alleged to have caused damages to the State exchequer in crores continue to enjoy plum postings and are favourites of authorities, thanks to deft manoeuvering of the SVO.
The handling of land mafia cases by the SVO is perhaps the most sordid of corruption related stories in the State. Many senior bureaucrats and Revenue officers are indicted in the Roshni and other land scams. Now an invisible nexus has come to be formed between these corrupt and perfidious officers and the top functionaries of the SVO. This abuse of law by the protectors of the law is taking place right under the nose of the State Vigilance Commission, which otherwise was supposed to ensure that the Organization meets the objectives behind its constitution.
The question is this: How can people believe that the Coalition Government will succeed in eradicating corruption from the state administration when the very machinery that is supposed to keep a watch has turned itself into a broad day burglar? Our State has earned the notoriety of being one of the most corrupt states in the country. What will be the end of much touted developmental schemes when corruption at this level and with this spread-out is rampant in the State. This is a litmus test for the Government. People vividly remember that during the short period of Governor’s rule, the Governor called a meeting of the heads of both the vigilance bodies and senior police and some administrative officers to bring home to them the need of giving the State a clean and corruption free administration. He also suggested certain steps that would be conducive to streamlining the vigilance and police administration. The SVO and SVC both had assured the Governor of their dedicated service to the State. But alas, they very soon forgot their commitment, took the U-turn and became the cat’s paw of corrupt officers, land mafia activists and other anti-social elements. The Government has to come down with a heavy hand.
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