In a bid to neutralize opposition’s charge of corruption eating into the vitals of the State polity, the NC-led coalition Government contemplated creation of State Vigilance Commission to supervise the functioning of the State Vigilance Organization in regard to investigating and processing alleged corruption against State functionaries. The Government had been receiving host of complaints against its functionaries not only of lower but also of higher rungs in the State administration. Additionally, a spate of scams uncovered on Central Government level further exacerbated the law and order situation and the State Government was not prepared to take any risks.
The Government took up the matter in right earnest, and perhaps with sincere intentions, and in October 2010 the State Legislature passed an Act by virtue of which the office of State Vigilance Commission came into being. But the Act stipulated broad outlines pertaining to the mandate of the Commission. Put succinctly, the SVC had to exercise superintendence over the functioning of the Vigilance Organization in so far as it relates to the investigations of offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act or an offence with which a public servant specific in the Act may under the Code of Criminal Procedure be charged at the same trial. About a year after the legislature passed the bill, Governor’s assent was obtained. But the Government took another year to appoint the State Vigilance Commissioner and one Vigilance Commissioner— the second VC nominated by the Government refused the offer and the post remains unfilled till date. Apart from the fact that the SVC remains a limping body till all the three members are in place, the Commission had to surmount many difficulties on account of accommodation, infrastructure and manpower. It took the stakeholders an effort to persuade the Government to respond to these requirements.
Having braved the rough weather, the SVC is now faced with the much baffling issue of absence of rules and regulations that would govern its functionality. The Act of legislature clearly states that the rules of business will be framed in consultation with the State Vigilance Commissioner and his two Vigilance Commissioners. It is about four months that the CVC and one Vigilance Commissioner have formally assumed the charge of office. But how can they function in absence of rules of business? The Government has not framed any rules, which it was supposed to have done soon after the CVC joined his post. According to the Act, rules have to be framed in consultation with the three top functionaries. Why has not the Government appointed the second Vigilance Commissioner despite lapse of two years or more?
The sum and substance of the purpose of setting up a super investigation body has been to check and uproot corruption from the administration, to provide clean and efficient administration and good governance. If constituting of the SVC was considered feasible as well as essential to augment the task of eradicating corruption, then the entire exercise needed fast track implementation in letter and in spirit. But stretching the execution part of the organization for three years and still the rules of business nowhere in sight is a clear indication that there could be vested interest trying to sabotage the entire scheme. Dragging it on from year to year under one pretext or the other is a clear indication that negative and reactionary forces are at work who do not want an organization like SVC to become active. This is a matter of great concern for the Government as well as the public. The Government should understand that treating SVC so casually means vitiating the opinion of the people about Government’s intentions of fighting corruption.
We would like to suggest that the Government take urgent steps of framing the rules of business and getting these endorsed by the legislature as has been proposed, and in this way hasten the business of the SVC to call for and dispose off pending cases of corruption. This is a matter, which creates more doubts and misunderstandings with delay and deferment. That should not happen.
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