Corruption? Railways tops, banks are 2nd, says CVC

The Central Vigilance Commission has received maximum complaints against the railway ministry officials for alleged irregularities in discharging their duty.

Out of the total of 25,359 complaints received during 2010, the highest of 8,330 were against Railways, 6,520 against banks, 1,836 against petroleum department and 1,572 were against telecom officials.

Similarly, 1,317 complaints of alleged corruption were received against Customs and Excise officials, 1,105 against steel ministry personnel, 1,106 against coal ministry and 693 against Delhi government officials among others, the CVC said in its annual report for 2010.

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The CVC noted the delay of over six months in taking disciplinary actions by certain government departments against erring officials.

Out of the total of 1,646 cases sent by CVC recommending action, a highest of 321 were of Railways, followed by 305 in Central Board of Excise and Customs, 174 in Central Board of Direct Taxes and 102 in Department of Telecommunications among others.

Besides, 48 cases seeking disciplinary actions were pending in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, 52 in Ministry of Home Affairs, 48 in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and 42 in Bureau of Indian Standards, the CVC said.

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"The commission tenders its advice after due consideration of all the facts presented before it and any delay in the implementation of its advice reflects poorly on the state of vigilance administration in the organisation concerned," it said.

The anti-corruption watchdog also observed that in many organisations, especially, public sector undertakings, there was no provision in the service rules for taking action or imposing penalty after the superannuation of the delinquent officials who might have committed serious irregularities during their period of service.

"In the absence of such a provision, some public servants feel tempted to indulge in inappropriate behaviour," the report said.

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According to the report, there were 1,132 complaints pending for investigation and report. Out of the total, close to 600 were delayed for over one year.

The CVC also examined 12 works valuing more than Rs 1,385 crore (Rs 13.85 billion) related to Commonwealth Games between January and December last year alone.

"Including examinations conducted in the earlier years, the total number of CWG related works taken up for intensive examination by the end of year 2010 stood at 25, valued about RS 3,300 crore (Rs 33 billion)," the probity watchdog annual report said.

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"A direct enquiry has also been ordered into the 60 odd complaints received in CVC (related to the Games)," it said.

The report said that the respective departments have been advised to furnish clarification and take necessary action including fixing the responsibilities, where ever required.

The commission effected recoveries of Rs 58.70 crore (Rs 587 million) after conducting technical examination of various government works.