Cracking whip on its officers “with dubious record”, the SAD-BJP led Punjab Government on Tuesday called for a list of “corrupt” officers in the State.It has issued written instructions to all Government departments asking the officials to immediately list out officials or officers with dubious service record so that action could be initiated against such people.The State Government’s instructions came at a time when the BJP is under fire for the corruption allegations against its leaders, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje, among others.
Even though the top Government officials have been claiming that the instructions were part of an ongoing process to get rid of such elements, it has been learnt that the move came in the wake of State Government’s attempt to project a cleaner face in the run up to the next Assembly elections, scheduled to be held in 2017.Eyeing to set its house in order in Punjab, the State Government has conveyed to all Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs), attached to the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, to identify “corrupt officers” including those who “enjoy a bad reputation”.
The CVOs have also been told to keep an eye on such officers to minimise corruption in the Government offices.If that is not enough, CVOs have also been directed to send regular updates to the State Civil Secretariat at Chandigarh so that corrupt officers can be prevented from occupying “sensitive seats”.“CVOs have been instructed to ensure effective supervision of such corrupt officials or officers besides regulating their postings so that they do not have any chance to indulge into corruption.
All CVOs have been directed to take effective steps to regulate postings of dubious elements,” said the Government spokesperson.Reminding them that the decision has been taken by the state Chief Secretary in the meeting of CVOs, it wasreiterated that all CVOs are duty bound to submit list of such officers to competent authorities for further necessary action.