AAP government hires ex-bureaucrats for graft inquiries

In order to strengthen its “zero-tolerance policy” on corruption, the AAP government has initiated a process to empanel retired officers, not below the rank of deputy secretaries, as inquiry officers to conduct departmental probes. Only former bureaucrats, who have either worked with the Central or state governments, and of impeccable integrity would be empanelled with the vigilance department. The panel would be valid for a maximum of three years or less on the discretion of the competent authority.

The AAP government will pick up only those officers who have not crossed the age of 65 till April 1 and don’t have a criminal reco-rd. The officers will be bo-und to give an undertaking that they would maintain strict secrecy in relation to the documents received or information or data collected by them in connection with any inquiry they are entrusted with by the city administration.

The terms and conditions issued by the government for appointment of the inquiry officers clearly state they should neither divulge any details during the probe nor even after the presentation of their respective reports. The inquiry officers will be bound to submit their reports within 90 days and they can be granted extension only by the disciplinary authority.

It is learnt that the payments to these officers will be made only after their inquiry report is accepted by the disciplinary authority. In case, it is not possible for the officer to proceed with any matter due to stay granted by any court, the officer could be discharged from his or her duties after getting an honorarium and other allowances on pro rata basis.

The AAP government had in April appointed eight IAS and Danics officers as special vigilance commissioners in various departments to strengthen vigilance measures and to streamline speedy disposal of complaints having verifiable facts and cases of disciplinary proceedings.

A report prepared by the vigilance department said a complaint-handling committee had earlier been formulated in line with the instructions of the Central Vigilance Commission and the Union government’s department of personnel and training to handle corruption-related complaints. The job of the committee is to take necessary action on the merits of each complaint. Some complaints are also sent for investigation to the anti-corruption branch and the CBI.

The report said the vigilance directorate had been maintaining regular coordination with the CBI in matters related to investigation of cases, prosecution sanction and initiation of regular departmental action against delinquent employees.

The AAP government has already put in place a feedback unit in the vigilance directorate for improving and strengthening the monitoring mechanism of activities.