Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 8:The government seems more interested in empowering the Anti-Corruption Bureau over other anti-graft bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.
In the State Vigilance Commission Rules, 2019, the government has removed the clause of Anti-Corruption Bureau where it was mandatory for ACB to submit hourly reports to SVC.
"The Director ACB shall submit progress report on quarterly basis in all under investigation cases or preliminary enquiries to the SVC," says the new rules.
"While exercising powers of supervision, the Commission shall not direct the Anti Corruption Bureau to provide individual details of the cases or investigate or dispose of the case in a particular manner," the rules say.
The Governor-led administration last year set up the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for tackling of increasing corruption in Jammu and Kashmir.
For its setting, the amendments were made in the Prevention of Corruption Act Samvat, 2006 and Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Act, 2011.
There are already many anti-graft bodies like State Vigilance Organisation, State Vigilance Commission, State Accountability Commission, Crime Branch, whose role have always been under question. Besides there is State Information Commission aimed to make the transparency in the governance.
As per SVC Rules of 2013, it was mentioned that on the receipt of the progress reports of FIR cases and preliminary inquiries, the SVC will examine these and convey its observations and directions to the Director ACB, who will take further action to bring the investigation or inquiries to the logical conclusion.
Similarly, the new rules say that while exercising the powers of superintendence, the SVC shall not exercise powers in such a manner so as to require the ACB to "investigate or dispose of the case in a particular manner".
"When the ACB concludes the investigation of the case and on the strength of evidence having come on record, a prima facie case for commission of offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Samvat, 2006 is found established against an in-service accused public servant, it shall prepare a final investigation report and submit the same along with supporting documents to the government for accord of prosecution sanction. The Government shall, in such cases seek advice of the Commission," the rules stated.
Further, the government has directed heads of departments to have an officer designated as Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at administrative department level (Civil Secretariat) responsible for vigilance administration. |
