The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has directed all Central Government departments to do away with the “outdated” process and to have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to check corruption.
“We have requested the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVO) of all organisations to identify areas where there is a scope for corruption, where there is scope for delay. Infact delays are occurring where the procedures and processes have become outdated in the current scenario and giving rise to some attitude of bribe seeking,” said KV Chowdary, the Central Vigilance Commissioner, while addressing media here on Friday.
Chowdary said the CVOs, who act as distant arm of the Commission, have been asked to take appropriate steps to streamline the procedures, may be avoid or delete the provisions relating to the discretion powers available with the officers.
“More importantly to bring what we called SOPs how to deal with applications in what sequence and on what criteria. We have got a very good feedback from our CVOs and they are in the process of reviving them,” he said.
Chowdary said that people need to be aware on the ill affect of corruption to check bribe giving. “One thing is to bring into public attention the ill affect of corruption. Corruption is not taking money or giving money but it has a much larger significance of the process being compromised. We must bring awareness among public,” he said.
The CVC chief advised people to send complaints with proper details. “We get complaints related to power and water supply, which is not our jurisdiction, which we forward to concerned departments. So there is a lack of awareness (as to where to send what complaint). We want people to be aware on it. We will request people to send complaint, but with concerned authority.
“I will also ask public to please come forward with specific and proper allegations so that action is faster,” he said. Chowdary said the CVOs have been made to access the pendency of corruption related cases pertaining to their organisations through the Commission’s website, thus speeding up the disposal of cases and reduction in pendency.
The CVC was addressing media in connection with the annual Vigilance Awareness Week starting from October 26 to 31. Chowdary said that the purpose of vigilance awareness week is to generate awareness in the public at large about the bad effects of corruption. He said that this year the CVC is organising lectures at school and college levels. This will take the message of preventive vigilance to the young minds and they will be in a position to influence the society at large, the CVC said.