*Suo-moto provision never used despite glaring instances
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 3: Much has been said about strengthening anti-corruption mechanism in the official statements of the Government but the fact remains that glaring instances of corruption are getting unchecked at the district level mainly because of failure of the District Vigilance Officers to perform duties enshrined in the Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Rules, 2013 and due to lack of cooperation and necessary support from the superior officers.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the concept of Departmental Vigilance Officers in the Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings was introduced in the Central Government in 1950s but in Jammu and Kashmir the process of appointment of Departmental Vigilance Officers was started in 1994 with the issuance of GAD Circular No.12 of 1994.
As corruption is an all pervasive phenomenon, which knows no boundaries and barriers, it was found imperative to appoint Vigilance Officers in the departments, PSUs and at district level so as to adopt multi-dimensional approach towards the menace.
The duties of Departmental Vigilance Officers and District Vigilance Officers were explicitly defined in Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Rules, 2013. However, the District Vigilance Officers have failed to take on the monster of corruption till date strictly as per the duties enshrined in these Rules despite glaring instances of corruption, improper practices and misconduct in the sight.
“This is mainly because the Additional Deputy Commissioners, who have been given the powers of District Vigilance Officers, are either overburdened in their routine work or intentionally not coming forward to handle such cases because of unnecessary interventions from the superior officers”, sources said, adding “there are numerous instances where in the District Vigilance Officers were restrained by their senior officers from conducting probes into cases of irregularities and corrupt practices by exerting pressure”.
“Such instances have sent a wrong message in all the districts as a result of which the District Vigilance Officers instead of taking action into the cases of corruption and mal-practices clearly visible to them are preferring to remain mum to prevent themselves from the onslaught of their seniors”, sources said, adding “the non-cooperation is notwithstanding the fact that in every conference of DVOs being held every year much is said to give impetus to the functioning of institution of vigilance”.
They disclosed that in majority of the districts, the District Vigilance Officers have been giving preference to their routine work and paying attention towards the duties under State Vigilance Commission Rules, 2013 only when they receive instructions either from the Vigilance Commission or Vigilance Organization.
“None of the District Vigilance Officer has so far exercised the power of suo-moto, which has been given to them under J&K State Vigilance Commission Rules, 2013”, sources said, adding “the DVOs are empowered to collect intelligence about the corrupt practices committed in their respective jurisdictions; enquire or cause an investigation into the verifiable allegations reported to them by any means and source and process enquiry reports for further consideration of disciplinary authority concerned”.
Moreover, the District Vigilance Officers are empowered to take steps to prevent commission of improper practices/misconduct.
Stating that these Vigilance Officers can go a long way in checking the deep-rooted menace of corruption, sources said, “it is also the duty of Departmental Vigilance Officers and District Vigilance Officers to scrutinize reports of House Committees and complaints and allegations appearing in the press to take appropriate action”, adding “these Vigilance Officers are also competent to get the cases registered in the Police Stations falling within their respective territorial jurisdiction in respect of complaints, which on enquiry, prima-facie disclose a commission of cognizable offence”.
As corruption cannot be handled single handed, the Government must come up with instructions so that Departmental Vigilance Officers and District Vigilance Officers get required support from all quarters in helping the State Vigilance Commission and State Vigilance Organization in curbing the corrupt practices otherwise there is no necessity of keeping the institution of DVOs alive.
When contacted, an officer posted in State Vigilance Commission confirmed that much is required to be done to make the institution of DVO functional in real sense so that all out war is waged against the menace of corruption.
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