Govt accepts GoM recommendations on corrupt babus

New Delhi: The government has accepted some of the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on corruption, which includes strengthening of vigilance administration in central ministries and departments. The government also approved that the second stage of consultation with Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in disciplinary matters may be dispensed with in an attempt to fast track all cases of public servants accused of corruption. [caption id=“attachment_111996” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption="(Rrepresentational image) The government asked the CVC to maintain a pool of investigating officers and presenting officers from the retired personnel. AFP Photo"]  [/caption] In separate notifications issued by the Department of Personnel and Training, the government also asked the CVC to maintain a pool of investigating officers and presenting officers from the retired personnel who can act as inquiry officers in all ministries and departments. In reference to central officers above the level of joint secretary, the government has accepted the recommendations of the GoM headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee which authorises the minister concerned as a competent authority. “In such cases, intimation of refusal to grant permission along with reasons thereof will have to be put to the Prime Minister,” the notification said. In its first notification for strengthening of vigilance set-up in ministries and departments, the DoPT said “the recommendation of the GoM has been accepted by the government with the approval of the Prime Minister.” “All Ministries and departments are, therefore, advised to strictly adhere to the new procedure with immediate effect,” it said, adding the CVC has been separately requested to amend its Vigilance Manual and other relevant instructions. The notification said all ministries and departments have been advised to strengthen their vigilance administration with requisite manpower with a view to ensuring expeditious disposal of disciplinary cases. “The ministries/department may, where appropriate, consider setting up of a monitoring cell to review and monitor the progress of all pending disciplinary inquiries on a day to day basis, with a view to ensuring their timely conclusion,” it said. In another notification, the GoM, while considering the Hota Committee report, decided the second stage consultation with the CVC in disciplinary matters may be done away with. However, in those cases where consultation with UPSC is not required as per extant rules or instructions, the second stage consultation with the CVC should continue, it said. PTI